Pah-Ute Creek, which runs year around, attracted many Indian tribes, who used several Indian trails through this area. The first white man to visit Pah-Ute Creek was Fr. Francisco Garces in May of 1776. It was given its name by Lt. A.W. Whipple during his Pacific Railroad Expedition of 1854. In 1857, the War Department ordered that the Mojave Indian Trail be used as a wagon road from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean, and it became known as the Mojave Road. Fort Pah-Ute was established at this location for the protection of travelers and the U.S. Mail over the Mojave Road. The outpost existed from November 27, 1867, to May 3, 1868, when it was ordered abandoned. The building was designed by Maj. General Irvin McDowell and Major Henry Robert, and the fort was constructed by the men of Company D, 9th U.S. Infantry Regiment.