Fresno in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Fort Washington

Photographed by Lester J Letson, March 15, 2009

1. Fort Washington Marker

Inscription. Approximately 2 miles north of this point, Fort Washintgon was built in the spring of 1850 by Wiley B Cassity (Cassady or Cassidy), Charls D. Gibbes, Major Lane and others. This fort, probably the first building erected in Fresno County, served as protection for miners and travelers during the Indian uprisings of 1850-51. Cassity and Gibbes operated a ferry across the San Joaquin River northeast of the fort. Cassity was slain by the Indians on Feb. 25, 1851. The fort was destroyed by flood, probably in the spring of 1852.
Dedicated November 19, 1961
by Jim Savage Chapter 1852,
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 1961 by E Clampus Vitus, Jim Savage Chapter 1852. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 19, 1878.

Location. 36° 53.133′ N, 119° 45.6′ W. Marker is in Fresno, California, in Fresno County. It can be reached from North Millbrook Avenue/Fort Washington Road. One half mile east on the Fort Washington Country Club Access Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10272 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno CA 93730, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ken Curtis (1916-1991) (approx. 5.3 miles away); Tarpey Depot (approx. 5.3 miles away); Clovis Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away); Christmas Tree Lane (approx. 6 miles away); Korea "The Forgotten War" (approx. 7.1 miles away); September 11th California Memorial (approx. 7.2 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar (approx. 7.2 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar Cover (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fresno.

Other markers no longer nearby. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad (was approx. 5 miles away); Sierra Sky Park (was approx. 6.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker is attached to the one of the white brick columns in front of the Fort Washington Clubhouse

Regarding Fort Washington. This marker is the third of 44 monuments erected by E Clampus Vitus in Fresno County since 1959

Photographed by Lester J Letson, April 15, 2007

2. Fort Washington Marker

Fort Washington School image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Eastern Fresno County Museum, 1905

3. Fort Washington School

A school was later built on the site of the old fort. This picture is of the school in 1905. The building was razed when this school was absorbed by the Clovis School district. There is another elementery school now known as Fort Wasington, but it is not located on the historical site.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 3,889 times since then and 108 times this year. Last updated on February 27, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on August 10, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.