Tulelake in Siskiyou County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lava Fortress
Captain Jack's Stronghold
April 10, 2008
1. Lava Fortress Marker
Caption below the photo of LTC Wheaton:
“…one thousand men would be required to dislodge them from their almost impregnable position…” wrote Lt. Col, Frank Wheaton of the Modocs’ military skills after his garrison’s failed attack on the Stronghold, January 17, 1873.
Caption below the photo of Col. Gillem:
Col. Alven C. Gillem launched an intense two-day assault on the Stronghold that cut the Modocs’s water supply, forcing them out on the nights of April 16-17, 1873.
Caption below the photo of Captain Jack:
Modoc leader Kientpoos, known to local whites as Captain Jack
“…one thousand men would be required to dislodge them from their almost impregnable position…” wrote Lt. Col, Frank Wheaton of the Modocs’ military skills after his garrison’s failed attack on the Stronghold, January 17, 1873.
Caption below the photo of Col. Gillem:
Col. Alven C. Gillem launched an intense two-day assault on the Stronghold that cut the Modocs’s water supply, forcing them out on the nights of April 16-17, 1873.
Caption below the photo of Captain Jack:
Modoc leader Kientpoos, known to local whites as Captain Jack
In early December about 60 Modoc warriors retreated with their families to the lava formations just south of here. The jagged landscape formed a natural fortress where the Modocs withstood two major army assaults. But after the army severed their access to water at Tule Lake, the Modocs were forced from their position in April 1873. The area has since been called Captain Jacks Stronghold.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian.
Location. 41° 49.477′ N, 121° 30.037′ W. Marker is in Tulelake, California, in Siskiyou County. Memorial can be reached from Monument Rim Road. Marker is located on the Captain Jack's Stronghold interpretive trail near the parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulelake CA 96134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Road to the Stronghold (a few steps from this marker); Shore of Tule Lake (a few steps
this page online
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
2. Lava Fortress Marker
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
3. Lava Fortress Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
4. Sign at Captain Jack's Stronghold
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
5. Captain Jack's Stronghold
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
6. Ranger on Duty at Captain Jack's Stronghold
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
7. Captain Jack's Stronghold
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
8. Captain Jack's Stronghold
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
9. Sign at the Site of Tule Lake Shoreline
This was the shoreline of Tule Lake in 1872-73. The Modoc Indians occupying the Stronghold obtained water at this point.
Once nearly 100,000 acres, the lake was drained between 1912 and 1958 to make fertile land available for homesteads.
Once nearly 100,000 acres, the lake was drained between 1912 and 1958 to make fertile land available for homesteads.
April 10, 2008
10. Captain Jack's Stronghold and Tule Lake Site
In this photo, looking north from the marker, one can see fields, which were once part of the acreage of Tule Lake.
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 2, 2009
11. Sign Near the Stronghold
Photographed By Harper's weekly, v. 17, no. 861 (1873 June 28), p. 545, June 28, 1873
12. The Modoc War - Captain Jack's Cave in the Lava Beds
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 737 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 3, 2013. 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 10. submitted on March 3, 2013. 11. submitted on February 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 12. submitted on March 8, 2013. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
