Presidio de Calabasas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Calabasas |
|
|---|---|
| Rio Rico, Arizona | |
| Type | Army fortification |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Arizona |
| Site history | |
| Built by |  Mexico |
| In use | 1837–1866 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants |  Mexican Army United States Army Confederate States Army |
The Presidio de Calabasas, also also known as Fort Calabasas or Camp Calabasas, was a stone fortress built in 1837. It was located south of Tumacacori, in what is now Arizona. This fort was built by Mexico to protect lands from the Apache people. A small farming village called Calabasas grew up nearby, safe under the fort's protection.
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Fort Calabasas: A Historic Arizona Fortress
Fort Calabasas was an important military outpost in the 1800s. It saw control by different groups over the years. First, it was a Mexican fort. Later, it became a United States Army post. During the American Civil War, it was even briefly held by Confederate soldiers.
What Was Fort Calabasas?
A presidio is a type of fort or military base. The Presidio de Calabasas was made of stone. It was built to defend the area. The fort was used from 1837 until 1866.
Early Days: Mexican Control
The fort was built by Mexico in 1837. It was on land owned by Manuel María Gándara. He built it to protect his lands near the Mission San Cayetano de Calabazas. This was important because it helped keep the area safe from raids by the Apache.
Changes Under U.S. Control
After the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, the land where Fort Calabasas stood became part of the United States. In November 1856, the United States Army arrived. Major Enoch Steen and his soldiers, from the 1st U.S. Dragoons, set up camp there. Major Steen renamed the site Camp Moore.
However, the army didn't stay long. In March 1857, they left Camp Moore. They moved to a new location and built Fort Buchanan.
The Civil War Era
During the American Civil War, Fort Calabasas saw more changes. In March 1862, soldiers from the Confederate States Army briefly took control of the fort. But they didn't stay long either.
In April 1862, the California Column arrived. These were Union soldiers from California. They took over the area. In September 1865, they moved their troops from Tubac, Arizona to the Calabasas site. They renamed it Fort Mason, Arizona Territory.
The 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry, California Volunteers, and the 7th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry were stationed at Fort Mason. They stayed there until May 1866. At that time, regular U.S. Army troops took over.
Why the Fort Was Abandoned
The regular army troops didn't stay at Fort Mason for long. The area had a problem with malaria, a serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Because of this, the soldiers abandoned Fort Mason in the fall of 1866.
They moved about 16 miles northeast and set up a new camp. This new camp was called Camp Cameron. It was used from October 1, 1866, to March 7, 1867. All these forts and camps were located near where Potrero Creek meets the Santa Cruz River.
