Mining returns to the Star Ranch.  Moybdenum is a pure silvery white metal with an extremely high melting point. Molybdenum is effective in hardening steel and is used in the making of chrome and aluminum alloys.  Star Ranch had one of the richest deposits of molybdenum in the County and it was mined behind the old stone store for nearly two decades beginning around 1915.  Because of its strength, the metal was mined aggressively during World War II and used in aircraft and armored vehicles. 

During the 1920’s, Eastern Religion comes to Star Ranch.  Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920 was and is a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. SRF is a network of groups and individuals dedicated to praying for those in need of physical, mental, or spiritual aid and for world peace and harmony.  Followers came by horse, horse and buggy, train and automobile to pray in one of the old adobe buildings—called a meditation center--that was located in Star Ranch’s central valley.  That building was later destroyed by fire.

During this period, Fred Redvine purchased the old stone store and the land around it. People were able to purchase land inexpensively during the Great Depression of the 1930’s.  A number of people owned parts of the Star Ranch during this time.  See if you recognize any of these property owners?  Walter Treppard, Annie Franklin, Winnifred Metz, Frank Stanley, Henry J. Adams, and Sophie Francis.

In 1921 through 1934, mining began at the Hauser Canyon Mine for feldspar used in making china, enamel, and porcelain.  The Campo Milling Corporation building still stands today as the tall sentinel welcoming travelers at the western gateway to the Campo Valley.

During the 1930’s, Ellsworth Statler II purchased properties now known as Star Ranch—calls it ‘Circle S Ranch’.  Statler was the son of the founder of the famous Statler Hotel chain.  Statler Hotels were the first to introduce private baths and running water in every room as well as telephones and radios.  Ellsworth Statler I coined the phrase, “the customer is always right.” While owner of the ranch, Statler raised sheep; however, a major snowfall and freeze proved to be disastrous and killed a majority of the flock. 

Statler sold the meadows east of SR 94 to Camp Lockett.  The army was interested initially in about 700 acres of land in Campo. Of this, Ellsworth Statler owned about 500. At that time, Statler was the principal property holder in Campo, controlling nearly 1,600 acres including most of the town. Statler's buildings played an essential role in the camp’s early development because the structures were used to house employees associated with the design, engineering, and construction of the camp.  The workers took over the entire downtown Campo area, which consisted of a two-story house, the old Gaskill mansion, four smaller cottages, and an old hotel. 

In 1940, Hugh Martin acquires Star Ranch and names it “Mary-Hugh Ranch”. Racehorses and cattle were raised here.  A racetrack was built in the ranch’s central valley. 

In 1941, groundbreaking ceremonies for Camp Lockett commenced.  The famed military installation was named for Colonel James Lockett, awarded two Silver Stars for "gallantry in action against insurgent forces" in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish American War.  Lockett also fought with General John “Black Jack” Pershing to destroy Pancho Villa’s rebel army in Mexico after they attacked the town of Columbus, New Mexico.

The army employed civilian workers to construct Camp Lockett.  In August, 1941, the workers went on strike for a day.  To complete the Camp in time, the general contractor built a sawmill and lumberyard near the railroad tracks.  Construction was completed in early December for a cost of just under $2 million.  Nearly 6,000 troopers and civilian personnel were stationed here on 7,100 acres and 500 buildings were constructed.  The old Campo Hotel, once famous for its chicken dinners, was converted to officers’ quarters.  The meadows on property now known as Star Ranch--east of SR 94--were used for parade grounds.  Camp Lockett water for the 6,000 troopers and civilian personnel and mules and horses came from wells located in the Star Ranch meadows.  Foundations from the Camp Lockett mule and horse barns can be found in the meadows.  

Then, the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor reaches Camp Lockett.

Camp Lockett was undoubtedly an important chapter in San Diego's, Campo’s, and Star Ranch’s history.  A military camp at Campo was critical to national security for the following reasons:  (1) to protect the railroad particularly upon its entry from Mexico, (2) to protect San Diego drinking water at Lake Morena, and (3) to protect the border from attack by Japan through Baja Mexico.  

The decision to deploy horse soldiers instead of mechanized units along the border was made—in part—because of the extremely rugged terrain. Soldiers on horseback could patrol the hills and gorges of the Mountain Empire region in places that were otherwise inaccessible to jeeps. 

In early 1942, under the command of Col. Waldemar A. Flack, the 10th Cavalry was dispatched to Camp Lockett.    The army added a second black regiment, the 28th Cavalry, was added in the fall of 1942, creating the newly formed 4th Calvary Brigade—the BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

Although the troops received extensive training in the art of soldiering, they were not prepared for fighting fires, a job they were often called upon to perform. In September and October of 1943, four major fires ravaged more than 25,000 acres of the backcountry. The Barrett-Cottonwood-Morena Fire destroyed 16,000 acres over a five-day period. 

With the war confined to Europe and the Pacific, the need for an army at Camp Lockett was minimized.  During operations in Europe, the Camp Lockett post housed 200 Italian prisoners of war from 1944-46. The prisoners worked in hospital services, mess halls, warehouses, shops and on the roads and grounds. The stockade in which they were housed never had a locked gate. None tried to escape.

In February 1944, the 28th Cavalry departed Lockett aboard three trains.  The following day, the 10th Cavalry left Lockett. By March, both units were in Algeria.  The era of the horse soldier had come to an end. Sometime in April 1944, the army decided to redesign Lockett for eventual use as an army convalescent hospital, the first such Army Services Forces facility in the United States. On 5 August, the facility was named Mitchell Convalescent Hospital in honor of Silas Weir Mitchell, an army surgeon during the Civil War. The hospital operated until 1946 when the army closed the facility and returned the property to civilian use. The history of Camp Lockett is also an important addition to San Diego's African-American heritage.   Unlike the white soldiers, the Buffalo Soldiers were forced to endure numerous obstacles such as bigotry and racism while serving their country. Even so, they performed with distinction and honor.  

Camp Lockett's most enduring legacy is the fact that it was the last horse cavalry base built in the United States, and that the events played out there between 1941 and 1944 represent the end of a long and distinguished era in American history. Machines had taken over. It was time for the horse soldier to dismount, and the final chapter was played out in Campo.