Camp Polk (1)

 (1865-1866) - Established 28 Sep 1865 by Captain Charles La Follette and troops from Company A, 1st Oregon Infantry Volunteers and named for Polk County, Oregon. Abandoned 24 May 1866.

History
Camp Polk was established in Sep 1865 to protect the Santiam Wagon Road (Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road) from Eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley from hostile Indians. No attacks occurred and the fort was abandoned in May of 1866.

Current Status
Nothing remains of the camp but the general location is marked by an interpretive kiosk that explains the history of the Camp Polk Meadow and by a sign that explains the history of Camp Polk itself. The Camp Polk Cemetery is nearby but the earliest markers are from the 1880s and it would seem that the cemetery served the community of Camp Polk rather than the camp itself.

Sources:
 * Oregon Military History, Forts-Camps-Roads
 * , page 150
 * , page 667

Links:
 * Wikipedia
 * Waymark
 * Camp Polk Preserve
 * Camp Polk Cemetery Interments