The application of “fort” to this landmark is somewhat of a misnomer. It had no military affiliation. It started out originally as a trading post on the Nobles Emigrant Trail.

In 1863, the abandoned structure became the focal point in the skirmish known as the Sagebrush  or Boundary War. The Honey Lakers fortified themselves in the log cabin during a short battle with Plumas County authorities. Hence the “fort” appellation. The building is sometimes referred to as Fort Defiance.

The so-called war was a political dispute between Plumas County officials and the residents of the Honey Lake Valley. At issue was who had jurisdiction  over the region—Nevada Territory or the State of California. While it was known that California’s eastern boundary from the Oregon border to Lake Tahoe was the 120th meridian. The problem was no one knew where it was. For a complete version see Sagebrush War.

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