fort carson training area range locations map

The area continued to grow tremendously until the 1900’s as various mining operations flourished. In the early 1880’s, the area also experience an unexpected economic boom when borax was discovered within the territory of Death Valley. The Army also constructed a stone fort overlooking the Bitter Springs during the Indian Wars. In 1846, the Mormon Battalion was assigned to patrol the Fort Irwin area and control the horse stealing and raiding. As more travelers used the hidden trails to enter the growing territory of California, horse stealing and raids became problems. While the Gold Rush promoted prosperous trade in the area, it also brought unexpected trouble to the area’s first inhabitants. This camp eventually served as the supply center of pioneers during the California Gold Rush. He then established a camp nearby Bitter Springs, which accommodated travelers who took the Old Spanish Trail as well as the Mormon trail that links Salt Lake City to California. Fermont, along with Kit Carson, was actually the first member of the US Army who visited the area of Irwin in 1884. In 1826, Jedediah Smith also explored the area before other pioneers finally took the Old Spanish Trail between Los Angeles and Santa Fe.Ĭaptain John C. During his pioneer explorations, he encountered a small group of Indians so he was considered as the first European to ever make contact to the first inhabitants of Lake Mojave. Father Francisco Barces recorded Indian settlements in the area when he came across the Mojave Indian Trail in 1976. The rich history of Fort Irwin dates back almost 15,000 years, when Indians believed to reside in the area during the Lake Mojave Period.

Fort carson training area range locations map