Fort Seward, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Seward
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Northwestern Pacific Railroad train at Fort Seward in 1971
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 Fort Seward
Location in California
Fort Seward
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Humboldt County |
| Elevation | 328 ft (100 m) |
Fort Seward is a small, unincorporated community located in Humboldt County, California. It sits right by the Eel River, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Alderpoint. The community is 328 feet (100 meters) above sea level. It was named in honor of William H. Seward, who was the Secretary of State for President Abraham Lincoln.
History of Fort Seward
Building the Fort
Fort Seward started as a military camp. It was set up on September 25, 1861. This happened during a time called the Bald Hills War. This war was a series of fights between the U.S. military and Native American groups along the Eel River.
Major Charles S. Lovell decided to build the fort after several small battles. Lieutenant Joseph B. Collins of the U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment suggested the best spot for it. He thought a fort near the head of Larrabee Creek would be perfect. It was about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Fort Humboldt. He believed a strong fort with enough soldiers could help stop problems and protect the people living there.
Life at the Fort
The fort was built quickly. It was meant to have a full company of soldiers. They also needed mules and saddles to help soldiers move fast. This way, they could quickly follow and deal with any groups causing trouble. The area had good roads for pack animals during the dry season. There were also good materials nearby for building the fort's structures.
Closing the Fort
Fort Seward was only active for a short time. It was officially closed down in 1862. This means the military stopped using it as a base.
Sadly, after the fort closed, a difficult event occurred. In January 1863, a Wailaki leader named Lassic and his group, who had been captured during the Bald Hills War, were killed by local groups.
Later Years
Even after the fort closed, the area remained a community. A post office served Fort Seward for many years, from 1912 to 1972. The community also had passenger train service. The Northwestern Pacific Railroad brought people to and from Fort Seward until 1971.
