The town is named after Henry Seeley, a pioneer of the Imperial Valley.

At the camp the 11th Cavalry Regiment took part in desert training and teaching horses to swim across rivers with rider.

11th Cavalry Regiment moved to Camp Lockett at Campo, California in December 1941.

The 11th and 28th Cavalry Regiment also trained at the camp, along with the 75th Horse Field Artillery Battalion.

The ordnance proving ground job was to test armed vehicles, tanks, and trucks and jeeps.