Fort Gaston: Difference between revisions
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The post was isolated inland from the northern California coast in a mountain valley. Communication with the outside world was by a mule trail over the mountains which could be blocked by heavy snows during the winter. It normally took five or ten days to get a letter to San Francisco and the mail arrived twice a week. | The post was isolated inland from the northern California coast in a mountain valley. Communication with the outside world was by a mule trail over the mountains which could be blocked by heavy snows during the winter. It normally took five or ten days to get a letter to San Francisco and the mail arrived twice a week. | ||
Over the years the garrison was reduced and the post was finally abandoned | Over the years the garrison was reduced and the post was finally abandoned 29 Jun 1892 and turned over to the Department of the Interior on 11 Feb 1892. | ||
== Current Status == | == Current Status == | ||
Hoopa, Humboldt County, California | Hoopa, Humboldt County, California | ||
Revision as of 21:17, 12 November 2012
Fort Gaston (1858-1892) - A U.S. Army Fort established in 1858 during the California Gold Rush by Captain Edmund Underwood, 4th U.S. Infantry, near present day Hoopa in Humboldt County, California. Named for 2nd Lt. William Gaston, 1st U.S. Dragoons, who was killed 17 May 1858 in combat with hostile Spokane Indians. Renamed Camp Gaston on 1 Jan 1867 and renamed again as Fort Gaston on 5 Apr 1867. Abandoned in 1892 and turned over to the Department of the Interior.
Fort Gaston History
Fort Gaston was established in December 1858 during the California Gold Rush on 452 acres in the middle of the Hoopa Indian Reservation in the Hoopa Valley. Conflicts between the Indians and the miners and settlers caused the Army to establish the post to keep the peace.
Fort Gaston was built out as a two company open plan infantry post. The post buildings were arranged around a 600 foot square parade with four barracks buildings and seven buildings for officer quarters. Support buildings included a guard house, a hospital, four buildings housing stables and granaries. A combination theater and library building also served as a quartermaster storeroom.
The post was isolated inland from the northern California coast in a mountain valley. Communication with the outside world was by a mule trail over the mountains which could be blocked by heavy snows during the winter. It normally took five or ten days to get a letter to San Francisco and the mail arrived twice a week.
Over the years the garrison was reduced and the post was finally abandoned 29 Jun 1892 and turned over to the Department of the Interior on 11 Feb 1892.
Current Status
Hoopa, Humboldt County, California
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Location: Hoopa, Humboldt County, California. Map point is approximate. Maps & Images Lat: 41.0502066 Long: -123.6741484 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 69
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 25-26
- Frazer, Robert W. (editor), Mansfield on the conditions of The Western Forts, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1963, ISBN 0-8061-1083-X, page 448
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Fort Gaston Picture Gallery
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