By Terry Munderloh

The broad expanse of Chino Valley forms an alluvial basin where subterranean water discharges to the surface for an area of many acres.  The spring water, once brought to the surface, then seeps back to the source ground waters, recharging the subterranean aquifers.  Surface water in the arid southwest is a magnet for life and ancient ruins attest to prehistoric man's occupation of this valley, but it was the Spanish explorers who gave these springs the name we know them by today: Del Rio. 
 

Possibly the first Americans to come upon the springs of Del Rio were Kit Carson and Ewing Young on their trapping expedition up the Verde River to it's headwaters in 1830.  In 1848, as a result of America's war with Mexico, the United States gained possession of more than 275,000 square miles of territory, a portion of which would become the Territory of New Mexico.  At that time the first government surveys to define the new southwestern boundaries were initiated but it would be Amiel Whipple surveying the 35th parallel with the U. S. Topographical Corps of Engineers for a possible railroad route to the west coast in 1854, who would dip into present day Yavapai County and put Val De Chino and Del Rio on government maps. 
 

On February 20, 1863, the Territory of Arizona, separate from the Territory of New Mexico was created by passage of an act of Congress.  Brigadier General James Carleton, having declared a new military district in central Arizona, sent John Clark, surveyor of New Mexico, escorted by Captain Nathaniel Pishon in command of a company of California volunteers, to inspect the "Gold Fields" of central Arizona as reported of by the Lount, Walker and Weaver parties and to "...have an eye to the best location for a post." 
 

Captain Pishon reported to General Carleton the following: "Captain Walker, as well as other Americans, deem it necessary for the protection of the citizens and the enforcement of the laws that troops be stationed at or near the mines.  The site I thought best adapted for the purpose of either a two, four or six company military post, is situated on Cienega Creek, about twenty-five miles northeast of the Mining district."  "At this point there is good water, fire wood within two or three miles, and building timber of the best quality: any amount of hay can be cut.  The neighborhood abounds in deer, antelope, turkey and other varieties of game." 
 

Their inspection completed, the Clark-Pishon expedition departed the banks of Cienega Creek at Del Rio Springs on September 1, 1863, and returned to New Mexico.  Some historical writers believe it was this expedition who initially dubbed the site where they had camped at the Springs Camp Clark. 
 

In that same month of Clark and Pishon's return to Santa Fe, three of Arizona's first government officials, Governor John Goodwin, Secretary Richard McCormick and Associate Justice Joseph Allyn escorted by two companies of the Missouri cavalry, left Cincinnati, Ohio, en route to Santa Fe and the new Arizona Territory under the assumption that Tucson would be it's capital. 
 

Even as the Governor's party traveled west, General Carleton was arguing against a location where Mexican and Secessionist influences were strong.  He favored Chino Valley near the geographical center of the territory and an area of potential mineral resources that could help rebuild the government coffers financially depleted by the Civil War.  Carleton successfully convinced Washington to establish a fort and provisional capital at Del Rio Springs. 
 

In November 1863, Carleton dispatched to Chino Valley Captain Pishon and thirty cavalrymen guiding companies "C" and "F" with Captains Hardgraves and Benson, under the command of Major Edward Willis, to establish the first post in central Arizona.  In addition to the military personnel the expedition consisted of six mule teams loaded with equipment, three ambulances, 500 head of cattle, 1800 head of sheep (allegedly confiscated from the Navajos by Kit Carson) and an extra train of 10 six-mule teams loaded with grain. 
 

The headquarters of the command were made upon their arrival at Del Rio of the 10th of December and the Post of Ft. Whipple was officially established there on December 23, 1863.  The Governor's party was to learn of their new destination upon their arrival in New Mexico. 
 

In Santa Fe, a second wagon train was outfitted to travel with the government dignitaries on the final leg of their trek to Arizona.  Two companies of New Mexico volunteers were added to the Governor's escort and General Carleton ordered Colonel J. Francisco Chavez to take command of the entire party.  The Governor's Party, along with an accompanying entourage of pioneers, merchants, fortune seekers and additional livestock, departed Santa Fe on November 26, 1863, and set off for the new wilderness capital.  They arrived at Ft. Whipple on January 22, 1864. 
 

Secretary McCormick had the foresight to bring with him a printing press.  The first issue of The Arizona Miner, date lined Ft. Whipple, March 9, 1864, reported the following about the fort: "The location is in the Val De Chino, on the banks of Cienega Creek, a never failing stream of clear, sweet water.  The wide valley abounds in the best gamma grass, and affords extensive pasturage.  The soil is apparently very rich, and aquequas might readily be constructed, though there is a good impression that irrigation is not necessary." 
 

That publication further opined: "The deficiency of this immediate locality is the lack of timber. Fire wood (cedar) is found on the hills three miles to the west, but logs for buildings have to be brought from Granite Creek, a distance of twenty miles." 
 

From a letter written by Major Willis on March 18th, we further learn "the hospital, commissary and quartermaster buildings are finished, also the corral for stock.  The men are comfortably sheltered with the few tents, and small buildings covered with wagon sheets, in our possession." 
 

Upon Governor Goodwin's personal exploration of the area and the mining districts, he concluded a more strategic location of the fort was necessary for the protection of the miners and ready access to construction lumber and in a letter to General Carleton expressed his desires to see Ft. Whipple relocated to Granite Creek. 
 

The Arizona Miner of May 11th announced the following: "The inhabitants of this portion of the territory will be pleased to know that Ft. Whipple is to be removed to a point where it will afford better protection.  The site is upon Granite Creek, twenty miles south of this place, and a mile north of Sheldon's Granite Ranch." 
 

A follow-up is found in the miner on May 25th: "Major Willis has announced in general orders that the Fort Whipple, having been removed by orders from Dept. Hdgs., the old site will hereafter be known as Camp Clark, in honor of surveyor Gen. Clark, who first visited the place in August last." 
 

Although Goodwin had deemed the source of water and grasslands alone inadequate reason for the fort's permanent location, those attributes were highly valued by parties who recognized the area's agriculture potential. 
 

A public notice dated August 15, 1864, and published in the September 21st edition of the Miner stated: "Know all men of these presents: That the undersigned have this day taken up and squatted on that tract of land situated at and near the old site of Fort Whipple, consisting of about five hundred acres."  The notice was signed "Postle, Brown & Co. 

Terry Munderloh is a volunteer at the Sharlot Hall Museum and is an active member of the Yavapai Trails Association.  This is the first part of a continuing story of Del Rio Springs.