It was established on August 14, 1865, by Captain J. C. Doughty, of Company I of the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry, on orders of Lt. Col. Charles McDermit, Commander, Military District Nevada, as Quinn River Camp No.

The volunteer cavalry detachment was there in order to protect the stagecoach line that ran between Winnemucca, Nevada and Silver City, Idaho Territory.

McDermit's death in an ambush on August 7, 1865, along the Quinn River near the station and the continuing unrest provoked the establishment of a stronger force and the fort was named in his honor.

Permanent structures were first erected in 1866 and 1867 and consisted of three buildings for officers, a large barracks, a three-room hospital, storehouses (for supplies to keep the fort running for six months), and stables all surrounding a square.

All of the post buildings were one-story with shingle roofs built of adobe, stone, or frame construction.