One Mile to Ruins of Camp Verde
Camp Verde, Kerr County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Established as a frontier post by the United States Army, July 8, 1855; headquarters in 1856 for 40 camels, sent by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, to be used in a system of overland communication with the west, which proved impracticable. Surrendered to the Confederate government in 1861; reoccupied in 1865 by the United States Army; abandoned April 1, 1869.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Established by the U.S. Army in 1855, this frontier post became the headquarters of one of the nineteenth century's most unusual experiments: a herd of camels imported at the urging of Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to test overland transport across the arid Southwest. The scheme proved impractical, and the post changed hands with the times — surrendered to the Confederacy in 1861, reoccupied by the U.S. Army in 1865, and abandoned in 1869.
Why it matters
Camp Verde captures both the westward reach of the frontier army and a bold, forgotten attempt to solve the problem of moving people and supplies across the American desert.
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Related people
- · Jefferson Davis
Themes & tags
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