Fort Tejon State Historic Park

In the mountains separating Los Angeles from the Great Valley of California lies the site of the historic Fort Tejon. 

The fort was active for only ten years, from 1854 to 1864.  Except for the barracks, only foundations remained when the land was acquired from the Tejon Ranch Company in 1940.  The barracks, above, was restored and other buildings recreated.

In the barracks you can see the austere life led by the dragoons stationed here.  Their bedrolls lie on the floor under the pegs on which they hung their uniforms.

The commanding officer and his wife had more comfortable quarters, two rooms down and two up with a kitchen behind the house.  The junior officers shared a similar house two officers to a house each getting one upstairs and one downstairs room and sharing a kitchen. 

In one of the quartermaster's shops was a very substantial treadle operated sewing machine which I assume was used to sew leather as it was in the tack room. 

They even recreated the poultry yard, complete with chickens.

The fort was established to protect American miners and settlers from the native Americans who were not too keen on seeing their land usurped by these invaders.

An interesting exhibit in the barracks shows the various uniforms used during the period.  I was surprised to see how much they changed in just ten years time and how fancy the uniforms of enlisted men were.

The first Saturday of each month the park features Living History Demonstrations.  Twice a year there are civil war re-enactments.  You can find a calendar of events at the link.

 Find more about our wonderful world at That's My World, Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.