Mission Camp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mission Camp
|
|
|---|---|
|
Locale
|
|
 Mission Camp
Location in Arizona
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yuma |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Abandoned | 1879 |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
Mission Camp was an important historic place in Yuma County, Arizona. It was once a busy stop for stagecoaches. These were like old-time buses pulled by horses.
The camp was located near the Gila River, about 4.5 miles west of Wellton. It served as a key point for travelers and mail delivery in the old American West.
A Busy Stagecoach Stop
Mission Camp started in 1858. It became a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route. This was a famous stagecoach line that carried mail and passengers across the country.
The camp was a place where stagecoaches could change horses. Travelers could also rest and get supplies here. It was a vital link for people moving through the desert.
Mission Camp During the Civil War
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Mission Camp became a military post. In 1862, soldiers from the Union Army were stationed there. These soldiers were called California Volunteers.
They helped protect the area and keep order. The camp was about 35 miles east of Yuma. This made it a strategic spot for the Union forces.
The End of the Stagecoach Era
After the Civil War, stagecoach travel continued. Mission Camp remained an active station. However, new technology soon changed everything.
In 1879, the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in Arizona. Trains were much faster and more efficient than stagecoaches. Because of the railroad, stagecoach stops like Mission Camp were no longer needed. The camp was abandoned that same year. Today, it is a historic site.
