Fort Date Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Date Creek |
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| Yavapai County, Arizona | |
An 1869 map of Camp Date Creek and the adjoining Hualapai reservation.
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| Coordinates | 34°15′51″N 112°55′31″W / 34.2641906°N 112.9251849°W |
| Type | Army post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Arizona |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1867 |
| Built by |  United States |
| In use | 1867 - 1874 |
| Battles/wars | Hualapai War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants |  United States Army |
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Camp Date Creek
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | near Hillside, Arizona |
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| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style | Adobe |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001361 |
| Added to NRHP | March 22, 1996 |
Fort Date Creek, also known as Camp McPherson or Camp Date Creek, was an Army base built in 1867. It was located about sixty miles south of Prescott, Arizona. The main purpose of this fort was to protect American settlers moving into Yavapai County.
Contents
History of Fort Date Creek
Early Days and Name Changes
Fort Date Creek was built along Date Creek, near the OX Ranch. When it was first started on January 23, 1867, it was called Camp McPherson. This name honored General James B. McPherson.
The fort began as a temporary base. Its job was to keep the road safe between La Paz and Prescott. This was important during the Hualapai War, a conflict with the Hualapai people.
Soon after it was built, the fort was closed. The soldiers moved to a new base called Camp Skull Valley in March 1867. This new camp was about twenty-five miles north.
However, Camp Date Creek reopened on May 11, 1867. It was then renamed Camp Date Creek, and later became known as Fort Date Creek. The fort was moved a short distance twice, but it always stayed close to Date Creek.
Life at the Fort and Its Purpose
By 1868, the fort had a garrison, which means a group of soldiers stationed there. This group included two infantry companies from the 14th Regiment. Infantry soldiers are those who fight on foot.
Starting in 1869, the area around the fort became important. It was a central point for managing tensions and conflicts with local Native American groups.
A temporary reservation was set up at the fort in 1869. This was for the Hualapai people. A reservation is land set aside for Native American tribes.
End of Military Use
By 1874, the United States Secretary of War decided the fort was no longer needed for military purposes. This meant the Army no longer used it as a base.
After the Army left, Fort Date Creek became a settlement for American pioneers. They lived there for several years. Today, you can still find a few old adobe buildings and a cemetery marking where the fort once stood.
