"Desert Ships": How Camels Helped the U.S. Army and Arizona Mining

Camel

Library of Congress LC-DIG-hec-29929

Camels were used in Arizona during the mid-19th century as part of an experimental initiative by the U.S. Army. This initiative, known as the U.S. 'Camel Corps', was established in the 1850s to test the viability of using camels for transportation and supply routes in the arid regions of the American Southwest, including Arizona.

The experiment began in 1856 when the U.S. government imported camels from the Middle East and North Africa. The camels proved to be well-suited for the harsh desert conditions, demonstrating their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without needing much water. Despite their effectiveness, the outbreak of the Civil War and other logistical challenges led to the discontinuation of the Camel Corps by the late 1860s.

After the military disbanded the Camel Corps, many of the camels were sold to private owners, including those in the mining industry. Miners and prospectors found camels useful for hauling equipment and supplies across the rugged desert terrain of Arizona and nearby areas. However, as the use of railroads and other forms of transportation expanded, the reliance on camels gradually diminished. Some camels were released into the wild, and there were occasional sightings of feral camels in the southwestern United States for many years afterward.

-Val