History Fort Mohave, Arizona

mohave men , women , u.s. army soldiers @ fort mojave, circa 1868

the first known european visit area spanish explorer melchor díaz. documented travels in northwestern mohave county in 1540. accounts of meeting large population of natives referred pipa aha macav, meaning people river . aha macav came spanish name mojave, later passed english, spelled mohave. when people refer fort mohave, use spelling mohave , while tribe retains traditional spanish spelling mojave .

during mohave war fort established base of u. s. army military operations against native mohave people, had been living in area centuries prior. in april 1861, during part of american civil war, fort abandoned, garrison sent secure southern california possible secession, , sent east. subsequently garrisoned company b , company i, 4th california infantry regiment, in may 1863. company b remained 6 months company remained until march 1865, when relieved company c, 7th california infantry regiment until 1866 when camp mohave again garrisoned regular united states army troops. u. s. army remained until september 29, 1890 when war department turned on indian service order of president benjamin harrison. given indian service in 1935 , part of fort mojave indian reservation.