Camp Far West Cemetery

Photographed by Margaret Tomer Rummens, April 5, 2009

1. Camp Far West Cemetery Monument

The bronze plaques originally mounted on the obelisk are missing and the monument has been extensively vandalized.

Inscription.
[ Inscribed on the monument: ]
Side A: To the Memory of the Pioneers
who were buried here between the years
1844 – 1856
Side B: Erected
1911
By the Grand Parlor
Native Sons of the
Golden West

[ Inscription on missing bronze plaque: ]
In Honor of the Known
Military Buried Here
Pvt. George Eckweller, Co.F., 2nd Inf. 1849 • Pvt. John Stevenson, Co.F., 2nd Inf. 1849 • Pvt. Newton Barnes, Co.F., 2nd Inf. 1849 • Pvt. Baldwin, Co.E., 2nd Inf. 1850

Erected 1911 by Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 2.373′ N, 121° 20.587′ W. Marker was in Wheatland, California, in Yuba County. It could be reached from Camp Far West Road south of Spenceville Road/Camp Beale Highway. Monument is located approximately 4.5 miles east of Wheatland. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Wheatland CA 95692, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker was in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

Globally, it was 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 found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Overland Emigrant Trail (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Graham Hotel (approx. 2.4 miles away); Truckee Trail – To Johnson Ranch (approx. 2.4 miles away); Union Shed (approx. 4½ miles away); Durst Hop Ranch (approx. 4½ miles away); Sheridan Cemetery (approx. 4.6 miles away); Johnson's Ranch (approx. 4.7 miles away); Holland House (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheatland.

More about this marker. The cemetery and monument are located on private property and are not accessible by the public.

Regarding Camp Far West Cemetery. In his book California, a Landmark History, published in 1941, Joseph R. Knowland writes: Camp Far West, located several miles east of Wheatland, was marked in 1911 by a monument erected by the Native Sons of the Golden West. This camp was established by the United States Government in 1849 to protect the early settlers of Yuba County and was abandoned in 1852. Many pioneers are buried in the ancient cemetery. No buildings remain.

Additional commentary.
1.
A newspaper article from 7 June 1939, states that the monument had

Photographed by Margaret Tomer Rummens, April 5, 2009

2. Camp Far West Cemetery Monument

already been shot up at that time.

— Submitted May 6, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California.

2. Names of the soldiers buried in the Camp Far West Cemetery
Camp Far West, located on the banks of the Bear River, was the US Army’s first westernmost fort, with soldiers from Companies E and F of the 2nd Regiment of Infantry. It was adjacent to Johnson’s Rancho and the terminus of the 2,000-mile-long Emigrant Trail. The camp’s cemetery is California’s 2nd oldest military post cemetery with its first burial of 21-year-old Private William H Walsh in September 1849. Until August 2025, no one knew the names of the all the soldiers buried there. The 14 US Army Soldiers buried in the camp’s cemetery died keeping the peace between the immigrants, the miners and the Native Americans. The soldiers buried here, who were part of the narrow line between the chaos of the ‘49er Gold Rush and California’s statehood, include:

Pvt James H. Newland (24) Co A • Pvt Jacob H Tymeson (21) Co C • Pvt Thomas Nellend (20) Co D • Pvt William Baldwin (31) Co E • Pvt John Glynn (33) Co E • Pvt John Glynn (21) Co E • Sgt Joseph S. Haack (24) Co E • Pvt Michael Leahy (unk) Co E • Pvt Christian Miller (31) Co E

Camp Far West Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Margaret Tomer Rummens, April 5, 2009

3. Camp Far West Cemetery

• Pvt John Permilion (21) Co E • Pvt William H. Walsh (21) Co E • Pvt George Eckweller (19) Co F • Sgt Robert Hays (23) Co F • Pvt Nicholas Smith (23) Co F

— Submitted September 2, 2025, by Rattlesnake Annie of Lincoln, California.

Photographed by Margaret Tomer Rummens, April 5, 2009

4. Camp Far West Cemetery

Camp Far West Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 7, 2011

5. Camp Far West Dedication Plaque

This dedication plaque is located at the intersection of Spenceville Road and Main Street in Wheatland. (39.013978N,-121.419093W)
Camp Far West
US Army Outpost
1849 - 1852
Dedicated by
Camp Far West Parlor No. 218
Native Daughters of
The Golden West
May 6, 1950

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 7, 2011

6. Camp Far West Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,574 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 3, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.