In the spring of 1857, a peculiar caravan made its way across the dusty trails of the American Southwest. Leading the procession wasn’t a typical frontier scout or cavalry officer, but a young Syrian camel driver named Hadji Ali, his name soon Americanized to “Hi Jolly” by soldiers who couldn’t wrap their tongues around the Arabic pronunciation. Behind him swayed the humped silhouettes of 25 dromedaries—part of one of the U.S. Army’s most unusual military experiments. These “ships of the desert” and their expert handler would leave an indelible mark on Arizona history, creating a legacy that still captures imaginations today.
The Vision of a Desert Military
The story begins not in the desert, but in the halls of Washington D.C., where Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (later president of the Confederacy) championed an audacious plan. Having observed the vast, arid territories acquired through the Mexican-American War, Davis recognized that traditional horses and mules struggled in the Southwestern desert. Why not import the ultimate desert-adapted animal—the camel?
In 1855, Congress appropriated $30,000 for the “Camel Military Corps,” and Major Henry Wayne was dispatched to the Mediterranean to procure the animals. Wayne didn’t just buy camels; he recruited experts who understood these complex creatures. Among them was Hadji Ali, born in Syria around 1828, who had spent his youth learning the ancient art of camel handling in the Ottoman Empire.
Hi Jolly arrived at Indianola, Texas, in 1856 aboard the USS Supply with the first shipment of 33 camels. A second voyage in 1857 brought 41 more, establishing a herd of 74 camels at Camp Verde, Texas. The young camel driver, described by contemporary accounts as “a small, wiry man with keen dark eyes and an easy smile,” quickly proved indispensable. While American soldiers struggled to understand the camels’ temperaments, Hi Jolly moved among them with an almost mystical understanding, teaching the troops how to pack the animals, treat their ailments, and respect their peculiar habits.
The Great Western Adventure
In June 1857, Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale led the Camel Corps on its most ambitious mission: surveying a wagon road from Fort Defiance, New Mexico, to the Colorado River—a route that would later become part of the legendary Route 66. Hi Jolly served as the expedition’s chief camel driver, managing a pack train that included 25 camels alongside traditional mules.
The journey proved the camels’ remarkable capabilities. Where mules required water every day, camels could go a week without drinking. They carried loads of 600-800 pounds compared to a mule’s 200-300 pounds. Their soft, padded feet navigated rocky terrain that bloodied horses’ hooves. One camel named “Old Douglas” became famous for carrying 1,200 pounds—an extraordinary feat that amazed even skeptical teamsters.
“The camels are doing finely,” Beale wrote in his journal on July 21, 1857. “They carry their loads of 700 pounds as easily as our mules carry 200, and appear to thrive on the browse that would starve a mule. Hi Jolly assures me they have not yet begun to show their full capabilities.”
The expedition successfully reached California, with Beale declaring the experiment “a complete success.” The camels had crossed some of the most forbidding terrain in North America, including the Mojave Desert and the Colorado River. Hi Jolly’s expertise proved crucial when the expedition encountered Native American tribes, many of whom had never seen such creatures. His ability to calm both camels and people helped prevent several potentially dangerous confrontations.
The Camel Corps in Arizona
Following Beale’s success, the Army established a camel station near Fort Tejon, California, and began using the animals for various military purposes throughout Arizona Territory. Hi Jolly and his camels became familiar sights at Fort Mohave, Fort Yuma, and other military installations. They hauled supplies between Los Angeles and Fort Yuma, surveyed potential railroad routes, and even participated in expeditions against hostile Apache bands.
The camels’ presence in Arizona created countless colorful incidents. In Yuma, a camel allegedly scared a horse so badly that it jumped into the Colorado River. Near present-day Quartzsite, prospectors reported seeing mysterious beasts that walked like ghosts through the desert night. One legendary tale tells of the “Red Ghost”—a feral camel with a skeleton strapped to its back that terrorized southeastern Arizona for years, though this story likely combined fact with frontier mythology.
Hi Jolly himself became a beloved figure throughout the territory. Unlike other foreign-born residents who faced discrimination, his unique skills and genial personality earned him respect from soldiers and civilians alike. He often entertained crowds with camel races and demonstrations of the animals’ abilities, becoming Arizona Territory’s first multicultural celebrity.
The Decline of the Desert Ships
Despite their proven effectiveness, the Camel Corps faced numerous challenges that ultimately doomed the experiment. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 diverted military attention and resources. Many officers who supported the program, including Jefferson Davis, joined the Confederacy. More practically, American teamsters resented the camels, claiming they frightened horses and mules on shared trails. The animals’ unfamiliar behavior, strange odor, and loud bellowing made them unwelcome in many frontier towns.
By 1864, the Army decided to sell the camel herd at auction. Some were purchased by freight companies and mining operations, while others were simply released into the desert. Hi Jolly, now without his military position, tried various ventures to keep working with camels. He attempted to establish a freight line between the Colorado River and mining camps, but the business failed when his few remaining camels couldn’t compete with expanding railroad lines.
Deprived of his life’s work, Hi Jolly reinvented himself as a prospector and scout. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1880 under the name Philip Tedro (a corruption of his Arabic name, Hadji Ali). In 1880, he married Gertrudis Serna in Tucson, and they had two daughters. The family settled in Quartzsite, where Hi Jolly continued prospecting and occasionally worked as a scout for the Army, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the desert.
The Last Days of a Desert Legend
As the years passed, Hi Jolly became increasingly nostalgic for his camels. Witnesses reported seeing him walking the desert, calling out in Arabic for his long-lost animals. Some claimed he would occasionally find feral descendants of the original herd, though these stories remain unverified. He lived his final years in poverty, supported by a small government pension and the kindness of Quartzsite residents who remembered his contributions.
On December 16, 1902, Hi Jolly died in Quartzsite at approximately 74 years of age. Local residents found him in the desert, where he had apparently gone searching one last time for his beloved camels. He was buried in the Quartzsite Cemetery with a simple wooden marker, his extraordinary story seemingly destined for obscurity.
A Monument to Multicultural Arizona
Hi Jolly’s tale might have faded into historical footnotes if not for the efforts of Arizona historians and the people of Quartzsite. In 1935, the Arizona Highway Department erected a unique monument at his gravesite: a pyramid topped with a metal camel, designed by architect Ray Manley. Governor Benjamin Moeur dedicated the monument, recognizing Hi Jolly as “a faithful guide and packtrain leader for the United States Government.”
The monument’s dedication ceremony drew hundreds of people, including surviving pioneers who remembered Hi Jolly and his camels. The event marked an early example of Arizona celebrating its multicultural heritage, acknowledging that the state’s history included not just Anglo pioneers and Native Americans, but immigrants from around the world who contributed unique skills and perspectives.
The Camel Legacy in Modern Arizona
Today, Hi Jolly’s story resonates throughout Arizona in unexpected ways. The town of Quartzsite has embraced its connection to the Camel Corps, hosting an annual “Hi Jolly Daze” celebration each January that draws thousands of visitors. The event features camel races, historical reenactments, and Middle Eastern cultural demonstrations, creating an economic boost for the small desert community.
Beyond the monuments and museums, Hi Jolly’s legacy permeates Arizona culture in surprising ways. The U.S. Camel Corps inspired the creation of the “Camelback” name for the distinctive mountain formation between Phoenix and Scottsdale. Local businesses embrace the connection—from the Camel Back Inn resort to numerous shops featuring camel motifs. The Arizona Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of Camel Corps artifacts, including original pack saddles and military correspondence about the experiment.
Academic interest in the Camel Corps has produced significant scholarship. Dr. Odie Faulk’s “The U.S. Camel Corps: An Army Experiment” remains the definitive historical account, while recent works by historians like Dr. Eva Jolene Boyd have explored the multicultural aspects of the experiment, examining how Syrian and Greek immigrants like Hi Jolly navigated identity in the American frontier.
Preserving a Multicultural Legacy
The preservation of Hi Jolly’s story represents more than mere historical curiosity—it embodies Arizona’s commitment to recognizing the diverse contributions that built the American West. The state’s historical societies have worked diligently to document not just Hi Jolly’s life, but the experiences of other Middle Eastern immigrants who followed similar paths to the Southwest.
Recent archaeological work has uncovered evidence of the camel stations throughout Arizona, with sites near Yuma and Fort Mohave yielding artifacts that corroborate historical accounts. These findings, displayed at various regional museums, help visitors understand the practical realities of the Camel Corps experiment—from specialized water troughs to modified pack equipment designed for camel physiology.
Educational initiatives ensure Hi Jolly’s story reaches new generations. Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies offers courses examining the Camel Corps within broader contexts of military innovation and cultural exchange. Elementary schools throughout the state include Hi Jolly in their Arizona history curriculum, often featuring field trips to his monument.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The economic impact of Hi Jolly tourism extends throughout La Paz County. Every year during the winter months retirees from around the US and Canada pack up their RVs and campers and head south. The small truck stop along I-10, normally a town of around 3,000 will swell to nearly 700,000 people. While many come for the gem shows and warm weather, Hi Jolly’s monument remains a consistent draw, with local businesses reporting increased traffic during the annual Hi Jolly Daze celebration.
Visit the History
Hi Jolly Monument & Quartzsite Cemetery
📍 Address: W. Elsie Lane & Hi Jolly Lane, Quartzsite, AZ 85346
🕒 Hours: Open during daylight hours, free admission
🚗 Directions: I-10 exit 17. North side, about a half-mile east on Business 10/W. Main St. Turn north at the Hi Jolly Tomb sign and drive through the flea market to get to the town cemetery and the monument.
ℹ️ Note: At least 532 burials rest in the historic cemetery; pick up a walking tour pamphlet at the entrance
♿ Accessibility: Paved pathways to monument; some cemetery areas have uneven terrain
Quartzsite Historical Society Museum (Tyson’s Well Stage Station)
📍 Address: 161 West Main Street, Quartzsite, Arizona 85346
📞 Phone: (928) 927-5229
🌐 Website: quartzsitehistory.com
🕒 Hours: Winter Hours (November-March): Weds-Sun 10am-4pm; Summer Hours (April-October): Thurs 9am-12pm or by appointment
💰 Admission: Free Admission! Donations accepted
♿ Accessibility: Museum building is wheelchair accessible
Hi Jolly Camping Area
📍 Location: Milepost 12 on US Highway 95
💰 Cost: Free 14-day camping
🏕️ Note: Part of BLM’s Long Term Visitor Area system
Annual Events
🐪 Hi Jolly Daze: Usually held in January – Features camel races, historical reenactments, parades
📅 Quartzsite Gem & Mineral Shows: January-February – Multiple venues throughout town
Additional Resources
For those seeking deeper exploration of this fascinating chapter in Arizona history, several resources provide comprehensive information. The Arizona Historical Society maintains extensive archives on the Camel Corps at their Tempe location. Dr. Odie Faulk’s “The U.S. Camel Corps: An Army Experiment” offers the most thorough historical analysis, while “Camels in Arizona” by James Haley provides an accessible popular history. The Quartzsite Historical Society (quartzsitehistory.com) regularly updates their digital collections with newly discovered photographs and documents related to Hi Jolly and his era.
A Legacy of Cultural Exchange
The story of Hi Jolly and the U.S. Army Camel Corps reminds us that Arizona’s history extends far beyond cowboys and copper mines. It encompasses bold experiments, unlikely immigrants, and the meeting of ancient desert wisdom with American military ambition. Today, as you drive along Interstate 10 through the Sonoran Desert, you’re following routes first mapped by camels and their Syrian guide—a man who crossed cultures and continents to become an enduring symbol of the American Southwest’s multicultural heritage.
