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Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, is a California State Park located in the southern portion of the city of Eureka, California just off U.S. Route 101.

History

Fort Humboldt was established in 1853 by the Army as a buffer between Native Americans, gold-seekers and settlers. It was founded by Brevet LtCol. Robert C. Buchanan of the U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment. It was placed on a bluff overlooking Humboldt Bay.

In addition to serving to protect the local inhabitants, it was also a supply depot for posts around the California and Oregon borders. During the Civil War, Fort Humboldt was the headquarters of the District of the Humboldt.

Among the many soldiers who served at the fort was a young captain, Ulysses S. Grant, who was there for five months in 1854.

After the Civil War, the fort outlived its usefulness and it was abandoned in 1866. The fort then fell into ruin and after many years title was transferred to the State of California.

Restoration

Restoration ensued, with the hospital the sole remaining building of the original construction. The other building, the Surgeon's Quarters,was re-created in 1985. The General Plan for Fort Humboldt SHP, developed by California State Parks and Recreation, calls for a re-creation of the entire fort complex. This General Plan, created April 14,1978, has been slow to implement.

Collections

In addition to various displays of the trappings of military service, 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, A Donkey engine invented in the 19th Century is included among other logging equipment and fully operational trains that operated on local narrow gauge railroads in the early days of logging.

Visitor information

Fort Humboldt is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the property includes the regional headquarters for the California State Parks system. 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.