Camp Wright

California's only Civil War battle was fought from this camp and nobody fired. In late November 1861 patrols took Daniel Showalter and his party on the road south, headed for the Confederacy by way of Mexico. Showalter was a former assemblyman who had recently shot another assemblyman dead in a duel over politics. His party signed oaths of allegiance, went to the prison at Fort Yuma for six months, and was released. Showalter then went east and made lieutenant colonel.

What the plaque says

Camp Wright 1861 - 1866 First established October 18, 1861, on Warner's Ranch at "Fork of the Trail to San Diego", to guard the line of communications between California and Arizona. Moved to this site by Major Edwin A. Rigg, First California Volunteers, about November 23, 1861. Named for Brigadier General George Wright, United States Army, who commanded the Pacific Department and California District from 1861 to 1865. Abandoned December, 1866. State Registered Landmark No. 482 Marker placed by San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the Historical Markers Committee. Erected 1953

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Borrego Springs — 27 mi
  A dark-sky town ringed by state park, with 130 metal beasts loose in the desert around it.

More markers nearby

• Oak Grove Stage Station — steps away
• Warner's Ranch — 13 mi
• Site of De Anza Camp, March 1774 — 13 mi
• Asistencia San Antonio de Pala — 16 mi