Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Fort Seward, California

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Country
  
United States

County
  
Humboldt County

Local time
  
Tuesday 9:40 PM

State
  
California

Elevation
  
100 m

Fort Seward, California

Weather
  
16°C, Wind E at 2 km/h, 67% Humidity

Fort Seward is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located on the Eel River 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-northwest of Alderpoint, at an elevation of 328 feet (100 m).

Contents

Map of Fort Seward, CA 95542, USA

History

A military camp called Fort Seward was established during the Bald Hills War on September 25, 1861, by Major Charles S. Lovell following a series of skirmishes with the Indians along the Eel River. It was built on the location recommended by Lieutenant Joseph B. Collins, U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment:

"The best position for a post is, in my opinion, on Eel River, near the head of Larrabee Creek, about sixty-five miles southeast from Fort Humboldt. It should be built immediately, and garrisoned by at least one full company, with a sufficient number of mules and riding saddles to mount a party large enough (say thirty) to follow rapidly and chastise all Indians that may commit depredations within fifty miles of it. This I believe will soon put a stop to all depredations and give ample security to the inhabitants and their property. Without a post but little can be accomplished and proper protection is almost impossible. The roads will be good for pack animals during the dry season, and the facilities for building good; that is, for small dry houses."

Fort Seward was decommissioned in 1862. It was later the site where the captured Lassic Wailaki leader during the Bald Hills War and his men were killed by local militiamen in January 1863.

A post office operated at Fort Seward from 1912 to 1972. The name honors William H. Seward, Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln.

References

Fort Seward, California Wikipedia