eyes


Camp Date Creek

18 ATVers lined up to go overland to Camp Date Creek.
First established as Camp McPherson in January, 1867, the camp was a temporary post and its purpose was to guard the road between Prescott and La Paz, Arizona. Unlike many Arizona forts, Camp McPherson was situated in a an area of beauty, with meadows and tall grasses along a creek called Date Creek, because of the abundance of yucca, or wild dates, in the area. The post was named for Brigadier General James B. McPherson who was killed in the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. Its initial service was short lived as just a few months later, it was moved north some 25 miles and renamed Camp Skull Valley in March. However, it was returned to its original location in May, and renamed Camp Date Creek. By 1868, two companies of the 14th infantry were stationed at the post, but legend has it, they initially spent more time fixing buildings and prospecting in the area, than they did fighting Indians. However, that changed, when the first recorded skirmish that took place in September, 1869, and afterwards was followed by a number of Indian attacks. The post was moved two more times along Date Creek during its existence. In 1871, a temporary Indian Reservation was located near the post.
In 1874, the Secretary of War restored the lands to the public domain, saying that the post was of no use for military purposes. The buildings were then used by settlers for the next several years. Today a few original building walls still stand and an old cemetery is located at the site. However, the cemetery graves are civilian as the soldiers’ remains were moved to the Presidio in San Francisco, California. The site is located sixty miles southwest of Prescott, Arizona in Yavapai County, north of US Highway 89 in the Date Creek vicinity.

eyes


Click here to go to the bottom of the page

To view any picture on a larger scale just click on it.
Then click your browsers back button to return.


In 1874, the Secretary of War restored the lands to the public domain, saying that the post was of no use for military purposes. The buildings were then used by settlers for the next several years. Today a few original building walls still stand and an old cemetery is located at the site.

Laid out in typical Army-of-the-West fashion, Camp Date Creek had officer and company quarters surrounding an open parade ground. Although its buildings were substandard to a post like Fort Verde, it contained many of the same facilities.

Gen. George Crook almost met his death at Camp Date Creek on Sept. 8, 1872, when an armed Yavapai warrior took a shot at the general. A Lt. William Ross is credited with having pushed the Indian's rifle aside.

Dr. William Corbusier arrived at Date Creek on Jan. 5, 1873. Five days later his wife Fany delivered a son. Two months after that he was sent to the Rio Verde Reservation along with the 800 or so Yavapai at Date Creek. Then, 18 months after that, he accompanied many of the same Yavapai when they were further exiled to the San Carlos Reservation.

Shortly after he arrived to take charge of Fort Whipple, Gen. John Irvin Gregg carried out his boss Gen. Henry Halleck's orders in establishing a fort to protect travels on the Prescott-La Paz road. The road was the primary avenue for both Military and civilian supplies coming to central Arizona.

Google Earth Map and 25 mile ATV trail from North Ranch through the mountains that we took to get to Camp Date Creek. It was very steep and rocky up and over the mountains.

On the trail through the Date Creek mountains.

The road gets worse.

But that's what makes it fun.

But the scenery is great.

Lots of Saguaros.

Interesting rock formations.

We are getting to the top of Date Creek Mountains.

One last obstacle.

We made it over the top.

We tramp through the old Camp Date Creek.

We had a guide that came from Phoenix.

He says this is whats left of the Qm8 Commissary Store (L on the layout).

Rock base of the Officers Quarters (A on the layout).

Date Creek is down where the trees are.

Whats left of the Company Store House (G on the layout).

Over looking the camp area.

The rabbits had a party eating this cactus and pooping.

After the tour we head back for lunch.

Nancy and some parked ATV's.

This is a shot of the video on Utube of me and Nancy eating lunch. If you haven't seen the video Click here to watch a 7 minute video where Nancy and I are at 6 minutes 30 seconds into it.

Nancy and I went back to North Ranch on Date Creek Road.

A little snow along the shady part of the bank.

A dump truck leaves dirt for the road grader, which we had to go around.

We get off Date Creek Road and follow the trail into Congress.

One lone Saguro in a cactus patch.

A little rough going over the mountain.

Are you sure this is the trail?

We make it over the top.

A cool Saguro.

We head down into Congress.

A culvert under the train tracks. Drive through and there is a drop off at the other end.

Nancy had to feed an apple to the burrows in Congress.

We backup to go around the puddle.

We follow the trail next to the train tracks back to North Ranch.

We reach North Ranch driving down Burnt Sage Rd.

Fun ride..... Home after a 47 mile day trip....

Click here to return to the top of the page
Click here to return to Arizona Menu