With so many important historical observances taking place during the month of June—most notably Juneteenth—the San Dieg Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, 10th Cavalry, sponsored a fascinating and enlightening historical bus trip on June 13, 2026, to Camp Lockett, the final home of the legendary 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers.
I must admit that I have traveled Highway 8 East from San Diego to Arizona more times than I can count. Yet, until this trip, I had no idea that so much rich African American and military history was tucked away in the backcountry community of Campo, California, just 60 miles east of San Diego.
The luxury motorcoach, filled with Buffalo Soldiers chapter members, friends, and community supporters, departed from the Malcolm X Library promptly at 9:00 a.m. Excitement filled the bus as passengers prepared for a day dedicated to learning, reflection, and discovery.
As we made our way through the scenic mountains, passengers viewed a short documentary about Nolan Self, one of the last surviving Buffalo Soldiers in the State of Kansas. Mr. Self passed away on September 9, 2016, but his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
After serving two terms in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Self was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1941 and assigned to the famed 10th Cavalry Regiment stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. His story provided a powerful introduction to the history we would explore throughout the day.
Our first stop was the historic Campo Stone Store Museum. The museum offered an impressive collection of artifacts, photographs, books, and exhibits chronicling the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their service at Camp Lockett. Visitors had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the men who served their country with courage and distinction despite facing racial discrimination.
Following our museum visit, we arrived at Camp Lockett, the final station of the 10th Cavalry and later home to the 28th Cavalry Regiment. After enjoying lunch, we toured the Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility, which houses a remarkable museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.
The museum brought history to life through restored barracks rooms, horse and saddle displays, military artifacts, statues, photographs, and historical exhibits. Visitors were given a glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers who once called Camp Lockett home. It was both educational and moving to stand in a place where so much history unfolded.
Our final destination was the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. The museum features an extraordinary collection of restored railcars, locomotives, artifacts, and educational exhibits that tell the story of rail transportation in the American West.
Guests enjoyed a guided tour and explored more than 120 pieces of historic railway equipment, including both restored and unrestored steam and diesel locomotives. One of the most impactful exhibits was the African American Railroad Experience, curated by the late Dr. Theodore Kornweibel, Professor Emeritus of African American History at San Diego State University.
The exhibit examines the realities of segregation in rail travel and highlights the museum’s restoration of one of the nation’s oldest surviving “Jim Crow” railcars. Through photographs, artifacts, and historical interpretation, visitors learned how African Americans faced discrimination not only in the South, but also throughout the North and West. Black passengers boarding trains in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri were often required to ride in segregated railcars regardless of where they began their journey.
The exhibit served as a sobering reminder of the challenges African Americans endured while also highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of injustice.
As the bus made its return trip to San Diego, one thing was certain: everyone who attended left with a greater appreciation for the history, sacrifices, and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. The excursion was more than a field trip—it was a journey through a vital chapter of American history that deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and shared with future generations.
The San Diego Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers should be commended for creating an experience that educated, inspired, and connected the community to an important piece of our collective past.
For more information on the San Diego Chapter visit: https://www.sandiegobuffalosoldiers.org
