On this day in 1971, the pre-Civil War-era Fort Tejon – a former United States Army outpost just under 40 miles north of Santa Clarita – was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1854, Fort Tejon was established to control the native population and provide protection for settlers and gold seekers moving through the region.

The chosen site was located just 17 miles southwest of the nearby Sebastian Indian Reservation (also known as the Tejon Indian Reservation), established in 1853 by Edward F. Beale, the federal Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California. The reservation was the first of its kind in the state.

Fort Tejon was first garrisoned by the United States Army on August 10, 1854. Positioned along the main route connecting central and southern California, the fort played a critical role in regional defense and movement.

Its mounted soldiers, known as the “United States Regiment of Dragoons” (now the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Regiment), patrolled much of central and southern California. They took part in various skirmishes during a time when the American West was still largely unsettled by white immigrants.

After a decade of operation, Fort Tejon was abandoned on September 11, 1864, as military needs shifted and more funds were needed for the Civil War. 

Decades later, in 1940, a renewed interest in the site’s historical value led the Tejon Ranch Company to deed 5 acres to the State of California. This move, prompted by local advocacy, laid the groundwork for what is now Fort Tejon State Historic Park.

Visitors today can explore several rebuilt and restored buildings, including the original barracks. 

One of the park’s other interesting features is the grave site of Peter Lebeck (also written Lebec or Lebecque), a French trapper believed to be the earliest known victim of a bear attack in California, dating to 1837. The nearby town of Lebec is named after him.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park offers a window into life in California during the 1850s and 1860s. The park features self-guided tours and monthly living history reenactments on the first Saturday of each month, year-round. Free brochures are available at the visitor center.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset, with picnic areas and restrooms available. The visitor center is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, visit the Fort Tejon State Historic Park website.

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