Mitchell Convalescent Hospital

Camp Lockett

Company type	Military installation (former)
Industry	Military
Founded	1941
Headquarters	Campo, California , United States
Area served	United States–Mexico border region
Products	Military training and operations site

Camp Lockett served as a United States Army installation located in Campo, California, situated east of San Diego and close to the Mexico – United States border. Its historical importance is largely connected to the Buffalo Soldiers, with the 10th and 28th Cavalry Regiments stationed there throughout World War II. The camp was named in honor of Colonel James R. Lockett, who had military experience from the Spanish–American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Pancho Villa Expedition. Camp Lockett was a key site for border defense operations.

Attempts to conserve the area and designate it as the 'Camp Lockett Historic District' on the National Register of Historic Places were hindered by complications involving private ownership. In 2009, it received recognition as a California Historical Landmark, accompanied by intentions to transform much of the former military post into a county park, thereby enhancing its significance as both a historic site and community resource.

19th century

The first permanent settlements by non-indigenous people in Campo Valley emerged in the late 1860s and early 1870s, largely due to migrants from Texas, which earned the region the nickname "Little Texas." In 1869, John Capron initiated a stagecoach line connecting San Diego through Dulzura and Campo to Yuma, which operated until 1912.

Settlement growth brought both commerce and conflict, including the establishment of a telegraph line and a stagecoach stop run by the Larkin family. Rising criminal activity culminated in a violent confrontation on December 4, 1875, when local residents clashed with Mexican bandits at Gaskill Brothers' Stone Store, resulting in eight fatalities and two injuries. This event prompted deployment of Company G from the 1st Cavalry Regiment to provide armed protection, marking the initial military presence that evolved into Camp Lockett.

In May 1876, troops under Captain Reuben F. Bernard successfully dispersed a large gang attempting to rob the stagecoach station. Later that year, tensions involving Native Americans who had been living off Larkin cattle led to military intervention following a fatal incident and subsequent pursuit by a posse from Tecate. This sequence of events expanded the military outpost to squad size.

By 1877, as the 1st Cavalry Regiment was reassigned for the Little Big Horn Campaign, Company H of the 8th Infantry Regiment replaced them in San Diego. In 1878 during the Bannock Campaign, Company I succeeded Company H. These units remained stationed in the area until at least 1898; however, significant military presence in Campo resumed in 1895 when approximately forty Yaqui rebels fled north after resisting conscription by Mexican forces. U.S. infantry led by Lieutenant Hubert was dispatched to contain their movement within Campo, preventing further entry into U.S. territory before Mexican militias subdued them south of Jacumba.

World War I

After the revelation of the Zimmermann Telegram, detachments from the 11th Cavalry Regiment were posted along the US–Mexico border, including Troop E at what later became Camp Lockett in 1918. Troop E remained until August 1920 before transferring to the Presidio of Monterey, where they were replaced by Troop D. By that year, forces stationed at Campo had been reduced to platoon size while other units moved to Camp Lawrence J. Hearn near present-day Imperial Beach. Both sites were ultimately abandoned as the regiment consolidated its presence in Monterey during the 1920s.

Initial construction phase in 1941

The first phase of construction in 1941 accommodated the 11th Cavalry Regiment utilizing the standard Series 700 and 800 designs from the Army Quartermaster Corps. The installation included barracks, officers’ housing, stables, veterinary and quartermaster sections, motor pool facilities, a hospital, administrative offices, recreational buildings, a chapel, and a post exchange. Supporting infrastructure encompassed roadways, sewage treatment systems, an incinerator, and water supply networks. Several pre-existing structures, such as the 1885 Gaskill Stone Store, were adapted for military use. By November 1941, Camp Lockett was fully operational and represented the final military base constructed in California during that period. Additionally, the base hosted a track supervisor for the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway, which surrounded its Campo Depot.

In 1942, the Army reassigned the 11th Cavalry Regiment to Fort Benning, Georgia, where it transitioned into a motorized armored unit. The 10th Cavalry Regiment subsequently took their place at Camp Lockett. Newly recruited soldiers formed the 28th Cavalry Regiment, which became part of the 4th Cavalry Brigade within the 2nd Cavalry Division.

The Southern Land Frontier Sector of the Western Defense Command also moved its headquarters to Camp Lockett. Under General John L. DeWitt, who had inspected the site in 1940, this sector managed defense strategy for southern Arizona and California. The base maintained racial segregation policies; African-American troops stationed there were prohibited from receiving services in nearby Jacumba.

Second construction phase from 1942 to 1943

To support an increased military footprint, a second phase of construction occurred between 1942 and 1943. This expansion followed Theater of Operations standard plans, permitting accelerated development compared to the initial mobilization layout.

The focus was on erecting additional stables and troop accommodations for the 28th Cavalry Regiment at a site one mile north of the original camp. New facilities included stables, hay storage buildings, blacksmith shops, and an enlarged veterinary complex serving the 2nd Veterinary Company.

Further additions featured regimental headquarters, barracks, mess halls, latrines, storerooms, a post exchange, chapel, motor pool, and fire station. Recreational infrastructure was also improved with a swimming pool situated between the areas occupied by the 10th and 28th Cavalry Regiments; expanded NCO and Officers’ Clubs; a gymnasium; and an outdoor amphitheater known as Merritt Bowl. Housing for civilians and dormitories for single personnel were constructed as well. Due to this enlargement, the Campo border crossing was closed.

In early 1944, deployment of the 4th Cavalry Brigade to North Africa led to its disbandment and reorganization into service units. This transition ended equestrian cavalry operations at Camp Lockett and placed the facility into standby status for several months.

Activation of convalescent hospital in 1944

July 1944 saw the establishment of the Mitchell Convalescent Hospital at Camp Lockett by the Army Service Forces. It was notable as the first hospital of its kind under Army Service Forces jurisdiction within the United States. Existing structures were relocated on-site and converted into hospital wards along with support facilities. The hospital was named in honor of Civil War physician Silas Weir Mitchell.

Establishment of prisoner of war camp in 1944

At the same time, a prisoner of war facility was created within the 28th Cavalry area, functioning as an extension of Camp Haan in Riverside County. This camp accommodated Italian and German POWs who supported hospital operations through various roles such as service work, upkeep, and construction tasks. These detainees were subsequently relocated from Camp Haan to Mitchell Convalescent Hospital. The hospital discontinued its services on March 22, 1946.

Decommissioning of the base

Camp Lockett's convalescent hospital remained operational until June 1946, when it was shut down and the entire installation was declared surplus property. Beginning in 1949, the Army initiated the base closure process by returning leased lands to their original owners. Around 600 acres were conveyed to San Diego County, while 39 acres were assigned to the Mountain Empire Union High School District. Sections of the property were adapted for juvenile detention purposes under the San Diego Probation Department, including facilities known as Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo.

Present condition

In 2003, California designated the former military installation as a Historic District. By 2009, plans were announced by the San Diego County Probation Department to discontinue operations at Camp Lockett.

Structures and buildings

The historic district encompasses 52 buildings along with two additional structures constructed during the significant period, plus two pre-existing buildings that were utilized by the U.S. Army during Camp Lockett’s active years.

The majority of Army-built facilities are wood-framed with mobilization-style design, resting on concrete piers or slabs. Infrastructure-related constructions such as those in the sewage treatment plant are made from poured concrete. Most date back to the initial construction phase in 1941; no remaining Theater of Operations-style buildings from 1942–43 survive. Some structures were relocated during the development of Mitchell Convalescent Hospital in 1944.

Contributing properties serve various purposes: personnel amenities including mess halls, day rooms, officers’ quarters, and supply depots; recreational facilities like the base theater, swimming pool, and bathhouses; equine-related buildings such as stables and blacksmith shops; and general support structures including firehouse, guardhouse, maintenance shops, motor pool garage, and a cellblock. The hospital complex contains administrative offices, barracks, wards, dining facilities, warehouses, dispensary, and civilian residences. Camp infrastructure features include the sewage treatment plant, water system components, and incinerator.

Pre-Camp Lockett buildings used by the military include the Gaskill Brothers Stone Store and Ferguson Ranch House.

Archaeological features of historic significance

Within the district lie 47 archaeological remains linked to original barracks, day rooms, mess halls, warehouses, officers’ quarters, chapel, and stables. The Southern Land Frontier Sector headquarters building of the Western Defense Command is also represented through archaeological remnants.

Landscape features contributing to the district’s historic character include eleven surviving original circulation routes accompanied by mortared stone retaining walls and drainage systems along their edges; period-specific patterned plantings; and an oak grove located in Chaffee Park.

Furthermore, the Italian Prisoners of War Shrine situated approximately one mile north of the main camp area is a notable landscape element. It is mortared directly into bedrock and contains a glass-enclosed Catholic statue alongside an inscribed stone marker.

Representation in Popular Culture

The PBS series California's Gold showcased a gathering of former cavalry soldiers at Camp Lockett.

Related Topics

• La Posta Mountain Warfare Training Facility

Additional Resources

• United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Camp Lockett, September 25, 2006, authored by William R. Manley and colleagues, ASM Affiliates, Inc.
• Presentation slides from the State Historical Resources Commission meeting held on October 30, 2009
• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts, Macmillan, 1988, page 74