Fort Humboldt State Historic Park in Eureka, California preserves the site of a U.S. Army post active from 1853 to 1870 and also presents the region’s Native history, logging technology, and narrow-gauge railroad heritage. Established after Trinity River gold discoveries heightened conflict between settlers and Native peoples, the fort served as a buffer and supply depot for northern outposts. Officers, soldiers, and families lived there in isolation, and Ulysses S. Grant served there as a young captain. Troops from the post were involved in violent regional conflicts, including the aftermath of the Indian Island Massacre. After the Civil War the fort declined, was abandoned in 1867, and later became a historic park.