Welcome to the legacy of Haji Ali,
Welcome to the legacy of Haji Ali, affectionately known as “Hi Jolly” by the locals. Born in Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey, around 1828, Haji Ali became an iconic figure in the American Southwest through his involvement with The U.S. Camel Corps. Arriving in the United States in 1857 with the second shipment of camels, his expertise and vibrant personality quickly made him a standout among camel drivers and caretakers.
After The U.S. Camel Corps experiment concluded, Hi Jolly embraced the American Southwest, taking on various roles from prospector to courier. He is celebrated particularly in Quartzsite, Arizona, where his unique pyramid-shaped grave, topped with a camel, marks his contributions and enduring place in American history.
1836
Major George Crosman
After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1823, Crosman served at various army posts in the Midwestern United States during the 1820s and 1830s. He was among the first army officers to propose the establishment of a U.S. Camel Corps to better transport supplies.
1857
The Beale Wagon Road
Edward Fitzgerald Beale used camels obtained through the Camel Corps project to survey and build the Beale Wagon Road across the American Southwest. Hacı Ali (Hi Jolly), a Syrian (Ottoman Empire) camel driver, is among those hired to handle the camels, playing a crucial role in the expedition. 1857 After the Civil War: The outbreak of the Civil War diverts attention and resources away from the Camel Corps project. After the war, the camels are sold at auction, and the project is officially abandoned.
1853
Secretary of War Jefferson Davis
After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1823, Crosman served at various army posts in the Midwestern United States during the 1820s and 1830s. He was among the first army officers to propose the establishment of a U.S. Camel Corps to better transport supplies.
1855
The U.S. Camel Corps
Congress appropriates $30,000 for the purchase of camels, and Major Henry C. Wayne is tasked with buying camels in the Middle East. The first shipment of camels arrives in Texas, marking the start of the U.S. Camel Corps experiment. This innovative venture was fueled by the belief that camels, with their remarkable endurance and ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without water, would be ideally suited to the arid landscapes of the American Southwest.