The U.S. Army once experimented with using camels as beasts of burden. This took place in the mid-1800s, a time of westward expansion and before the widespread use of gas-powered automobiles. The army typically relied on mules and horses, but these struggled with long distances in the dry deserts and mountains of new states and territories.
Further details about this experiment are available, including how the camels were brought into the military. A photo from the University of Southern California Libraries shows a camel at the Drum Barracks circa 1865.
The experiment is a notable part of the history of using exotic animals in the region, where wild parrots and peacocks can still be found today.
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LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) · Sep 12, 2026
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LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) · Sep 12, 2026
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