History
Early years, 1853–1860
With the discovery ofCivil War years, 1861–1865
By the summer of 1861 theFinal years and abandonment, 1865–1867
The end of theCommanding officers
* Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Buchanan, 4th Infantry Regiment, January 1853-February 1856 * 1st Lieutenant Francis H. Bates, 4th Infantry Regiment, February–June 1856 * Major Gabriel J. Rains, 4th Infantry Regiment, June 1856-July 1860 * CaptaiCemetery
Ten soldiers are known to have been buried at Fort Humboldt: * John Blummer; C Co, 1st Battalion Mountaineers * John Briel; 1840–1866; E Co, 2nd U.S. Artillery * Patrick Carroll; 1838–1879; F Co,Cooper period, 1893–1928
After abandonment by the military, the lands were transferred to the Department of the Interior on April 6, 1870, and the fort fell into ruin. However, units of the California National Guard used the area one final time in August 1893. One hundred and thirty-five soldiers from the Second Artillery Regiment, California National Guard, arrived in the Steamer ''Pomona'' on August 17, and marched through Eureka to Fort Humboldt. In 1893, the land and its one remaining building were sold to W. S. Cooper. Cooper reportedly subdivided the property as soon as he acquired it, naming the new subdivision Fort Humboldt Heights. Cooper's daughter reported that on two occasions her father partially restored the remaining building as he realized its future importance. In 1894 a sentry box from Fort Humboldt was exhibited at a fair in San Francisco. According to a newspaper article, "Among the Humboldt exhibits there is one which stirs the heart of every patriot and awakens memories of the nation's great captain. It is the original sentry-box of Fort Humboldt, here General Grant did duty when he was there."An Outdoor View. The Mid-Winter Fair in its Larger Features," ''Los Angeles Times'', February 7, 1894, 3 The old cavalry barn was destroyed by fire on October 21, 1895. On February 7, 1925, the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze plaque which reads - "Fort Humboldt. Occupied by U.S. troops from 1853 to 1865 . General U. S. Grant was stationed here in 1853." The plaque is still at the park, though hidden by trees. The tablet is bronze mounted on a huge rock blasted from Medicine Rock nearRestoration
Fort Humboldt stands out as one of the first sites in Eureka recognized and preserved for its historic value. According to one historian, "Mr. Cooper was aware of the importance of the lonely Fort. He spent $1,500 to restore the former hospital to a condition as near as possible to what it had been originally." Cooper eventually worked with California State Senator Selvage to pass a bill that would appropriate $32,000 for the State to purchase Fort Humboldt. However, the bid to purchase Fort Humboldt for the public met with local opposition. For example, an editorial in the '' Blue Lake Advocate'' stated: "The whole scheme is a silly outburst of a maudlin sentimentalism which is simply ridiculous and is the laughing stock of the community. To take $32,000 from the taxpayer for the state to buy a few acres of land suitable only for a potato patch or a truck garden will be paying too much" (4 February 1906). Public sentiment against the purchase won out, but the Cooper family continued to preserve the fort site until W.S. Cooper's death. At that time, his wife and daughter donated the land and the one remaining building to the City of Eureka. The City accepted the donation and the site was dedicated for use as a public park. In the 1930s, local veteran organizations became interested in restoration of the fort. They took pictures, sent to the National Archives inLate 20th century and a new millennium
In more recent years, several Civil War re-enactments were held at the fort in the 1990s, but were moved toCollections
In addition to various displays of the trappings of military service and a vintage mountain howitzer cannon, the hospital building houses artifacts and particularly rousing accounts (including extensive signage) of the Native American experience of European settlers. A culturally and historically correct dugout canoe constructed of the heart of a redwood tree is on display. Though not directly related to the military history of the site, fully operational trains that operated on local standard gauge railroads in the early days of logging are present on the site. The logging equipment exhibit includes aVisitor information
Permanent displays are augmented by special events during the year. Of particular note are the prominent views of Humboldt Bay, the Samoa peninsula, and portions of Eureka from the bluff occupied by the park and structures. The park entrance is located one block off U.S. Route 101 near theSee also
*References
Additional references
* Bledsoe, Anthony J, ''Indian Wars of the Northwest: A California Sketch'', Bacon and Company, 1885. * ''Humboldt Historian'', "The 'Days of General Grant' Recalled," Humboldt County Historical Society, July - August 1977, 3. * Kyle, Douglas E. (ed.), ''Historic Spots in California'', 4th ed., Stanford University Press, 1990. * United States Department of War, ''Report of the Secretary of War'', Government Printing Office, 1867. * State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, ''Fort Humboldt State Historic Park: Resource Management Plan, General Development Plan, and Environmental Impact Plan'', August 1978.External links