Site of Camp Lockett

Read the last two sentences on this bronze again. About 3,500 Black soldiers of the 10th and 28th Cavalry trained here for eighteen months, patrolling the border while segregated on their own post and led by white officers. In 1944 they were dismounted, shipped to North Africa, and dissolved into service units, which is to say men trained to fight spent the rest of the war as labor troops. The plaque calls that the end of the era of the horse soldier.

What the plaque says

Site of Camp Lockett After the Civil War many African American Army units reorganized for duty during Reconstruction, Indian Wars, and survey expeditions of Western territories. Camp Lockett was the last installation in California to train “Buffalo Soldiers”, a name given by Native Americans during the Western Indian Wars. During World War II Buffalo Soldiers provided protection along the Mexican border, served in North Africa in 1944, and were broken up into service units. The era of the horse soldier ended. State Registered Historical Landmark No. 1045 Registered October 30, 2009 Dedicated October 21, 2017 Plaque placed by California State Parks in cooperation with the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, John P. Squibob Chapter #1853, County of San Diego, and Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Campo Stone Store — 0.7 mi
• Mountain Springs Station — 22 mi
• Palm Springs — 26 mi
• Cañada de los Coches Rancho — 30 mi