Fort Whipple, established in 1863 and moved in 1864 near present-day Prescott, played a central role in both military and civil development in territorial Arizona. Founded under General James Henry Carleton’s orders and named for engineer Amiel Weeks Whipple, it first served as a frontier post and helped protect miners and settlers. It also became an early base for the territorial government, which used the fort while Prescott was chosen as capital and key institutions were organized. Later it served in the American Indian Wars, briefly supported the Rough Riders in 1898, and evolved in the 20th century into a major military and veterans medical center.