Fort Mason, Arizona Territory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Mason |
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|---|---|
| Rio Rico, Arizona | |
| Coordinates | 31°27′25″N 110°58′10″W / 31.4570390°N 110.9695323°W |
| Type | Army fortification |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Arizona |
| Site history | |
| Built by |  |
| In use | 1865–1866 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | California Volunteers and United States Army |
Fort Mason was a small military post in what is now Arizona. It was important during the time when the United States was expanding west. Soldiers lived here to protect settlers and control the area. The fort changed names several times, starting as Camp Moore.
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Fort Mason: A Frontier Outpost
This fort was a temporary home for soldiers. It helped the United States control new lands. These lands were bought from Mexico in 1854. This purchase was called the Gadsden Purchase.
The Beginning: Camp Moore
After the Gadsden Purchase, the United States Army sent soldiers to the new territory. In November 1856, Major Enoch Steen arrived. He led a cavalry unit, which were soldiers who rode horses.
They set up a camp at an old Mexican site. This place was called Presidio de Calabasas. Major Steen named his new post Camp Moore. The soldiers fixed up old adobe buildings. They also built some new ones. Camp Moore was left in March 1857. A new, permanent fort, Fort Buchanan, was built nearby.
The Civil War and New Names
When the American Civil War began, many military posts were closed. This included those in what is now Arizona. Old Camp Moore at Calabasas was briefly used. Confederate soldiers occupied it in March 1862.
Soon after, Union soldiers arrived. These soldiers were part of the California Column. They were from California. They set up posts in Tucson and Tubac. They also built Fort Bowie.
In September 1865, soldiers from Tubac, Arizona moved to Old Camp Moore. It was first called Post at Calabasas. Then, it was renamed Fort Mason. This was to honor General Mason. He was a commander of the California Volunteers. In 1866, it was briefly called Camp McKee.
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry, California Volunteers and the 7th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry stayed at the post. Regular U.S. Army troops took over in May 1866.
Abandonment of Fort Mason
The area around Fort Mason had a problem with malaria. Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Because of this, the regular army soldiers left Fort Mason (then Camp McKee) in 1866. They moved to a new place. There, they established Camp Cameron.
Camp Moore and Fort Mason were in the same spot. This was south of where Potrero Creek and the Santa Cruz River meet. Camp Cameron was about 16 miles northeast of Fort Mason. It was used from October 1866 to March 1867.
