Fort Mojave, Arizona — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Mojave (Mohave County, Arizona)

Mohave County · Arizona · Mohave War / Indian Wars

Quick BriefCamp Colorado, established April 19, 1859, by Lieutenant Colonel William Hoffman at Beale's Crossing on the Colorado River's east bank during the Mohave War, was renamed Fort Mojave on April 28, 1859, by Captain Lewis A. Armistead. With 50 soldiers, Armistead defeated 200 Mohave in a battle in summer 1859, ending hostilities. The post was abandoned and burned down on May 28, 1861, to prevent capture during the Civil War, then rebuilt and re-garrisoned in May 1863 by the 4th California Infantry, which cultivated friendly relations with the Mojave. The War Department transferred the fort to the Office of Indian Affairs on September 29, 1890, and the buildings served as a boarding school for Native American children, requiring English and suppressing native traditions.

Open to visitors

History & Significance

Established to protect emigrants traveling to California via Beale's Wagon Road and the Mojave Road, the fort also served as a base of military operations against the Mohave people. The Mohave War (1858–1859) arose from conflicts between the Mohave people and American settlers, whose influx following the California Gold Rush led to misunderstandings and armed conflict.

After Hoffman's second expedition with over 600 infantry, cavalry, and artillery reached Beale's Crossing, Camp Colorado was officially established April 19, 1859, and renamed Fort Mojave nine days later. Hoffman offered peace terms on April 23: if the Mohave agreed not to attack immigrants or oppose road and fort construction, they would not be destroyed; Chief Cairook and eight others reluctantly surrendered.

After Civil War reoccupancy in May 1863, the 4th California Infantry protected the Mohave and Prescott road and maintained friendly relations with the Mojave. Volunteer soldiers took up prospecting and established mining claims, and many returned after the Civil War ended. On September 29, 1890, President Benjamin Harrison ordered the transfer to the Office of Indian Affairs; the buildings became a boarding school assimilating Native American children until the Great Depression, when the property transferred to the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation.

Key Facts

StateArizona

LocationMohave County

Established1859

Decommissioned1890

War / eraMohave War / Indian Wars

Current statusRuins

Coordinates35.04305556, -114.6225

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

1859 military fort ruins on the Colorado River
Historic structures from Mohave War era
Site of later Native American boarding school
Desert riverside setting with regional history context

Best time to visitOctober through April offer mild desert temperatures; summer heat in Arizona regularly exceeds 100°F.

Getting thereFly into Laughlin Bullhead International Airport (IFP), approximately 14 km from the fort near Mohave County.

From the nearest major airportHarry Reid International Airport (LAS)🚗 112 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 2 hr 49 min drive

Fort Mojave (Mohave County, Arizona)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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