Campo in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Camp Lockett

Camp Lockett Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By George Midwin, October 8, 2022

1. Camp Lockett Marker

Inscription. After the Civil War many African American army units reorganized for duty during Reconstruction, Indian wars, and survey expeditions of western territories. Camp Lockett was the last installation in California to train "Buffalo Soldiers", a name given by Native Americans during the western Indian wars. During World War II Buffalo Soldiers provided protection along the Mexican border, served in North Africa in 1944, and were broken up into service units. The era of the horse soldier ended.

Erected 2017 by California State Parks; E Clampus Vitus; County of San Diego; and Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility. (Marker Number 1045.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Military. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 32° 36.193′ N, 116° 27.926′ W. Marker is in Campo, California, in San Diego County. Marker can be reached from Shannon Road east of Forrest Gate Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 799 Forrest Gate Rd, Campo CA 91906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Campo Stone Store (approx. 0.7 miles

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away); Hatfield – The Rainmaker (approx. 6.7 miles away); Buckman Springs (approx. 10.7 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is at the Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility - Buffalo Soldier Museum, open Sat/Sun. The museum is located in the refurbished home of Frank Ferguson, one of the designers of the San Diego & Eastern Railroad which was built through Campo in the early 1900s. During World War II, Camp Lockett’s commander was billeted in Ferguson’s old home.

Regarding Site of Camp Lockett. A total of 7,107 acres in the Campo area were purchased or leased by the U.S. Army for the housing and training of two cavalry regiments. Camp Lockett covered an area of approximately 15 square miles – measuring five miles from east to west, and three miles from north to south, where it adjoined the U.S.- Mexico border. Some of Camp Lockett’s hundreds of buildings are being re-used today, while others are abandoned and awaiting demolition or refurbishment.

Photographed By George Midwin, October 8, 2022

2. Camp Lockett Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.