Forts of Texas
Encyclopedia
The Forts of Texas include a number of historical and operational military installations. For over two hundred years, various groups fought over access to or control over the region that is now Texas
. Possession of the region was claimed and disputed by the European powers of Spain
and France
, and the continental countries of Mexico
, the United States
, the Republic of Texas
, and the Confederate States of America
. Ownership of specific lands were claimed and disputed by different ethnic groups, including numerous Native American tribes, Mexican residents, Anglo and African American settlers, and European immigrants. Access to and control of resources were claimed and disputed by various economic groups, including indigenous hunter/gatherers, farmers, herders, ranchers, colonists, settlers, buffalo hunters, traders, bandits, smugglers, pirates, and revolutionaries. Over the centuries, claims and disputes were enforced by Native American
warriors, Spanish conquistadors, French cavaliers, Texas Rangers
, local militias, and uniformed regular army regiments of Spain, Mexico, Texas, the United States, and the Confederacy.
Many military camps, barracks
, fortified trading posts, palisades
, stockades, blockhouses, strongholds, and fortifications were built to establish, defend, or dispute claims to the area.
has been inhabited for many centuries. A major spring in Central Texas is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of North America. There is evidence of migrations and displacements of peoples in the pre-historical era. However, no evidence has been found of fortifications built by early Native Americans. Texas derives its name from the name of a Native American tribe noted for its friendliness. The Texas state motto is "Friendship."
and imperial Spain
. Both European powers mounted military expeditions to explore the region of Texas. A small number of simple fortifications were established in this era to protect both French and Spanish claims from each other, and to protect expeditionary operations from unwelcoming local inhabitants.
Forts of this era include:
.
Many Spanish missions included defensive structures to protect the missions' operations and communities. Key missions were supported by nearby Spanish army forts, called presidios.
Missions of this period with historical connections to fortifications or military operations include:
Presidio
s and forts of this period include:
, Mexico established some new forts in Texas to control or limit Anglo
American immigration into the region. During and shortly following the Revolution, the Texians established a number of forts to defend Texas towns and cities.
Forts of this period include:
, the US and Mexico did not have a mutual agreement as to the border between Mexico and the new State of Texas
. The US Army established a number of new forts along the border, and military disputes in this area eventually led to the Mexican-American War.
Forts of this period include:
. Some were re-garrisoned by local Texas forces in order to maintain defenses against Indian incursions. Several camps were opened by the Confederate States Army
for recruiting or training.
Only a few forts were specifically garrisoned to be prepared for conflicts between the Confederates and the Union army and navy. These included:
Additionally, there were extensive earthwork fortications and batteries defending Galveston, which changed hands several times during the war.
American settlers in the 19th century as they pushed the frontier ever westward. While Native Americans
of coastal regions and East Texas
were relatively easily assimilated, displaced, or eliminated, some Native American tribes were more actively resistant. This was most famously true for the Comanche
and Apache
tribes.
In the 19th century, one of the key organizations for protecting Anglo
American settlements was the Texas Rangers
. The Rangers operated a number of posts in Texas that were traditionally referred to as forts, though they lacked the kinds of heavy defenses associated with traditional military fortifications.
There were essentially three periods of concern. In the mid 19th century, the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in eastern, central, and south Texas from Indian interference. During the Civil War, local Texas militias, law enforcement, and civilians were concerned with protecting the entire settled portion of the state from intereference from both Indians and Mexican bandits. In the late 19th century, the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in west Texas from Indians. In the latter period, several Texas forts were garrisoned with units of the US Army's famed Buffalo Soldiers.
Several of the most famous generals from both sides of the American Civil War
were stationed at Texas forts while serving in the US Army during the first period.
Forts of these periods include:
, revolutions in Mexico led to unrest along the US border, including Mexican raids on towns in the Southwest United States. This led to garrisoning by the US Army of camps and forts all along the Rio Grande
river, Texas' border with Mexico.
Forts of this period include:
Additionally, unfortified coastal artillery
stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U-boats or commerce raiders from approaching Texas ports. This included Freeport, Sabine Pass and San Luis Pass.
, the US Army opened or expanded a number of bases and airfields for training. Extensive U-Boat
activity in the Gulf of Mexico
led to concern about naval raids on Texas ports and coastal cities by ships and submarines of the Axis powers
.
Forts of this period include:
Additionally, unfortified coastal artillery
stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U-boats or aircraft from approaching Texas ports. This included Sabine Pass, Port Arthur, Baytown, Freeport, Port Aransas, Port Isabel, and San Luis Pass. Also, a number of camps for prisoners of war were established.
.
Forts of this period include:
and Fort Hood remain the headquarters for major American army units, and both reservations remain important training areas for US and allied forces. Fort Sam Houston
remains the home for the Army Medical Department
. The US Navy retains a major training center at Corpus Christi, and the US Air Force has retained a small number of bases. Defense cutbacks have closed a large number of smaller bases and camps.
Due to continuing interest in the colorful history of Texas and her people, archaeological exploration of known and recently discovered historical forts continues.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Possession of the region was claimed and disputed by the European powers of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and the continental countries of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
, and the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. Ownership of specific lands were claimed and disputed by different ethnic groups, including numerous Native American tribes, Mexican residents, Anglo and African American settlers, and European immigrants. Access to and control of resources were claimed and disputed by various economic groups, including indigenous hunter/gatherers, farmers, herders, ranchers, colonists, settlers, buffalo hunters, traders, bandits, smugglers, pirates, and revolutionaries. Over the centuries, claims and disputes were enforced by Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
warriors, Spanish conquistadors, French cavaliers, Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
, local militias, and uniformed regular army regiments of Spain, Mexico, Texas, the United States, and the Confederacy.
Many military camps, barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
, fortified trading posts, palisades
Palisades
A palisade is a steel or wooden fence or wall of variable height, usually used as a defensive structure.Palisade or Palisades also may refer to:-Geology:United States...
, stockades, blockhouses, strongholds, and fortifications were built to establish, defend, or dispute claims to the area.
Early History and Pre-History
The southwestern region of North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
has been inhabited for many centuries. A major spring in Central Texas is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of North America. There is evidence of migrations and displacements of peoples in the pre-historical era. However, no evidence has been found of fortifications built by early Native Americans. Texas derives its name from the name of a Native American tribe noted for its friendliness. The Texas state motto is "Friendship."
Exploration
The region of Texas was claimed by both royal FranceFrench colonial empires
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
and imperial Spain
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
. Both European powers mounted military expeditions to explore the region of Texas. A small number of simple fortifications were established in this era to protect both French and Spanish claims from each other, and to protect expeditionary operations from unwelcoming local inhabitants.
Forts of this era include:
- Fort Saint Louis (near Inez, TX)
- Fort St. Louis de Carlorette - A fort originally built by the French, but later rebuilt, garrisoned, and defended by Native Americans. (Near Spanish Fort, TX)
Colonization
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the primary mechanism for colonization was the Spanish missions in TexasSpanish missions in Texas
The Spanish Missions in Texas comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier land. The missions...
.
Many Spanish missions included defensive structures to protect the missions' operations and communities. Key missions were supported by nearby Spanish army forts, called presidios.
Missions of this period with historical connections to fortifications or military operations include:
- Mission de Nuestra Señora de la Luz del Orcoquisac (near Wallisville, TX)
- Mission de Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepcion (in San Antonio, TX)
- Mission de San Antonio de ValeroAlamo Mission in San AntonioThe Alamo, originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is a former Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound, site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and now a museum, in San Antonio, Texas....
(in San Antonio, TX) - Mission de San Francisco de la EspadaMission San Francisco de la EspadaMission San Francisco de la Espada was a Roman Catholic mission established by Spain near San Antonio de Bexar in northern New Spain in 1731 to convert local Native Americans to Christianity and solidify Spanish territorial claims in the New World against encroachment from France...
(in San Antonio, TX) - Mission de San Francisco de los Tejas (near Grapeland, TX in Weches, TX)
- Mission de San José y San Miguel de Aguayo (in San Antonio, TX)
- Mission de San Juan Capistrano (in San Antonio, TX)
- Mission de San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz (near Camp Wood, TX)
- Mission de Señora de los Dolores de los Ais (near San AugustineSan Augustine, TexasSan Augustine is a city in San Augustine County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,475 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of San Augustine County and is situated in East Texas.-Geography:San Augustine is located at ....
, TX)
Presidio
Presidio
A presidio is a fortified base established by the Spanish in North America between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The fortresses were built to protect against pirates, hostile native Americans and enemy colonists. Other presidios were held by Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth...
s and forts of this period include:
- Presidio de la Bahía del Espíritu Santo (near Goliad, TX)
- Fort BendFort BendFort Bend was a blockhouse built in a large bend of the Brazos River in what is now Fort Bend County, Texas, to provide protection against Indian raids. It was erected in November 1822 by several members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, including William W...
(near Richmond, TX) - Presidio Fuerte de Santa Cruz del Cibolo (near Cestohowa, TexasCestohowa, TexasCestohowa is an unincorporated community in Karnes County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 110 in 2000.-Geography:...
) - Presidio de la Virgen de los Dolores de los Tejas (near Nacogdoches, TX)
- Presidio de San Agustín de Ahumada (near Wallisville, TX)
- Presidio de San Antonio de BéjarPresidio San Antonio de BexarPresidio San Antonio de Béxar was a Spanish fort built near the San Antonio River, located in what is now San Antonio, Texas. It was designed for protection of the mission system and civil settlement in central Texas...
(in San Antonio, TX) - Presidio de San Elizario (near San Elizario, TX)
- Presidio de San SabáPresidio San Luis de las AmarillasPresidio San Luis de las Amarillas, now better known as Presidio San Sabá, was founded in April 1757 near present day Menard, Texas, United States to protect the Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá, established at the same time. The presidio and mission were built to secure Spain's claim to the territory...
(near Menard, TX) - Presidio de San Xavier de Gigedo (near Rockdale, TX)
- Fort Maison Rouge - Jean LafitteJean LafitteJean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. He and his elder brother, Pierre, spelled their last name Laffite, but English-language documents of the time used "Lafitte", and this is the commonly seen spelling in the United States, including for places...
's pirate fort in Galveston
Texas Revolution
In the period leading up to the Texas RevolutionTexas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, Mexico established some new forts in Texas to control or limit Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
American immigration into the region. During and shortly following the Revolution, the Texians established a number of forts to defend Texas towns and cities.
Forts of this period include:
- The AlamoAlamo Mission in San AntonioThe Alamo, originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is a former Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound, site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and now a museum, in San Antonio, Texas....
- Previously Mission de San Antonio de Valero (in San Antonio, TX) - Fort Anáhuac (near Anahuac, TX)
- Fort Houston (near Houston, TX)
- Fort Defiance - Later known as Fort Goliad - Previously Presidio la Bahía (near Goliad, TX)
- Fort Lipantitlan (near Mathis, TX)
- Presidio de San Antonio de Béjar (in San Antonio, TX)
- Fort Tenoxtitlan (near Cooks Point, TX)
- Fort TeránFort TeránFort Terán was a former Mexican military post and Texian settlement located in Tyler County in East Texas. The post was named after Mexican general Manuel Mier y Terán....
(near Rockland, TX) - Fort Travis (near Galveston, TX)
Mexican-American War
Following US annexation of the Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
, the US and Mexico did not have a mutual agreement as to the border between Mexico and the new State of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The US Army established a number of new forts along the border, and military disputes in this area eventually led to the Mexican-American War.
Forts of this period include:
- Fort BrownFort BrownFort Brown was a military post of the United States Army in Texas during the later half of 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.-Early years:...
(in Brownsville, TX) - Fort Polk (near Port Isabel, TX)
- Fort Sabine (near Sabine, TX)
Civil War
Texas forts garrisoned by the US Army were abandoned or surrendered at the start of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Some were re-garrisoned by local Texas forces in order to maintain defenses against Indian incursions. Several camps were opened by the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
for recruiting or training.
Only a few forts were specifically garrisoned to be prepared for conflicts between the Confederates and the Union army and navy. These included:
- Fort Caney (near Sargent, TX)
- Fort Esperanza (on Matagorda Island, TX)
- Fort Griffin (near Sabine Pass, TX)
- Fort Grigsby (near Port Neches, TX)
Additionally, there were extensive earthwork fortications and batteries defending Galveston, which changed hands several times during the war.
Defense from Indians
Interference or resistance from local inhabitants was a concern going back to the first explorations by France and Spain. This was especially of concern to AngloAnglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
American settlers in the 19th century as they pushed the frontier ever westward. While Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
of coastal regions and East Texas
East Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
were relatively easily assimilated, displaced, or eliminated, some Native American tribes were more actively resistant. This was most famously true for the Comanche
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
and Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
tribes.
In the 19th century, one of the key organizations for protecting Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
American settlements was the Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
. The Rangers operated a number of posts in Texas that were traditionally referred to as forts, though they lacked the kinds of heavy defenses associated with traditional military fortifications.
There were essentially three periods of concern. In the mid 19th century, the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in eastern, central, and south Texas from Indian interference. During the Civil War, local Texas militias, law enforcement, and civilians were concerned with protecting the entire settled portion of the state from intereference from both Indians and Mexican bandits. In the late 19th century, the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in west Texas from Indians. In the latter period, several Texas forts were garrisoned with units of the US Army's famed Buffalo Soldiers.
Several of the most famous generals from both sides of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
were stationed at Texas forts while serving in the US Army during the first period.
Forts of these periods include:
- Bent's Fort, also known as Adobe Walls (near Stinnett, TX)
- Fort Belknap (Near Newcastle, TX)
- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
(near El Paso, TX) - Fort ChadbourneFort ChadbourneFort Chadbourne was a fort established by the United States Army on October 28, 1852, in what is now Coke County, Texas, to protect the western frontier and the Butterfield Overland Mail route. It was manned by the 8th U.S. Infantry...
(near Fort Chadbourne, TX) - Fort Cibolo (near Shafter, TX)
- Fort Clark (near Brackettville, TX)
- Fort Colorado (in Austin, TX)
- Fort ConchoFort ConchoFort Concho is a National Historic Landmark owned and operated since 1935 by the city of San Angelo, the seat of Tom Green County in West Texas...
(in San Angelo, TX) - Fort CroghanFort Croghan*For the 1842 Iowa fort of the same name, see Council Bluffs, Iowa.Fort Croghan was the third of the first four forts established by the United States government to protect settlers from hostile Indians along the Texas frontier. From its establishment in 1849 until its decommission in 1853, Fort...
(in Burnet, TX) - Fort DavisFort Davis National Historic SiteFort Davis National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site located in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, Texas. Located within the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the historic site was established in 1961 to protect one of the best remaining examples of a United States Army fort in...
(near Fort Davis, TX) - Fort DuncanFort DuncanFort Duncan was a U.S. Army post, set up to protect the first U.S. settlement on the Rio Grande near the current town of Eagle Pass, Texas.Fort Duncan was established on March 27, 1849, when Captain Sidney Burbank occupied the site with companies A, B, and F of the First United States Infantry...
(near Eagle Pass, TX) - Fort Elliott (near Mobeetie, TX)
- Fort Ewell (near Artesia Wells, TX)
- Fort Gates (near Gatesville, TX)
- Fort Graham (Under Lake Whitney. Partial historical reconstruction near Whitney, TX)
- Fort GriffinFort GriffinFort Griffin was a Cavalry fort established in the late 1860s in the northern part of West Texas, specifically northwestern Shackelford County, to give settlers protection from early Comanche and Kiowa raids...
(Near Albany, TX) - Fort Hancock (near Fort Hancock, TX)
- Fort Holland (near Valentine, TX)
- Fort IngeFort IngeFort Inge was a frontier fort in Uvalde County, Texas established as Camp Leona on March 13, 1849. The fort served as a base for United States Army troops assigned to protect the southern overland mail route along the San Antonio-El Paso Road from Indian raids. The camp was renamed Fort Inge in...
(near Uvalde, TX) - Fort LancasterFort LancasterFort Lancaster, one in a series of forts erected along the western Texas frontier, is located in the Pecos River Valley in Crockett County, Texas, United States. The fort was established by Captain Stephen Decatur Carpenter on August 20, 1855, to guard the military supplies, commercial shipments,...
(near Sheffield, TX) - Fort Leaton (near Presidio, TX)
- Fort Lincoln (near D'Harris, TX)
- Fort Martin ScottFort Martin ScottFort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost near Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, United States, that was active from 1848 until 1853...
(near Fredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
) - Fort MasonFort Mason (Texas)Fort Mason was established July 6, 1851 in what later became Mason County. It was named in honor of Lieut. George Thomson Mason, United States Army Second Lieutenant killed in the Thornton Affair during the Mexican–American War near Brownsville, April 25, 1846. At various times from 1856 to 1861...
in Mason County, TexasMason County, TexasMason County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 4, 012. Its county seat is Mason... - Fort McKavett State Historic SiteFort McKavett State Historic SiteFort McKavett State Historic Site is a state park in Menard County, Texas, United States. Fort McKavett was a frontier fort established as Camp San Saba in 1852 to protect settlers from Indian raids...
(near Fort McKavett, TX) - Fort McIntoshFort McIntosh (Texas)Fort McIntosh was a military base in Laredo, Webb County, Texas, that existed from 1849 to 1946.Fort McIntosh was established in 1849 to guard the Texas frontier at the site of a strategicriver crossing...
(Laredo, TXLaredo, TexasLaredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
) - Fort Merrill (near Dinero, TX)
- Fort ParkerFort Parker massacreThe Fort Parker massacre was an event in May 1836 in which members of the pioneer Parker family were killed in a raid by Native Americans. In this raid, a 9-year old girl, Cynthia Ann Parker, was captured and spent most of the rest of her life with the Comanche, marrying a Chief, Peta Nocona, and...
(near Groesbeck, TX) - Fort Phantom Hill (Near Abilene, TX)
- Fort QuitmanFort QuitmanFort Quitman was a United States Army installation on the Rio Grande in Texas, south of present-day Sierra Blanca, twenty miles southeast of McNary in southern Hudspeth County. The fort was named for Mississippi Governor John A...
(near McNary, TexasMcNary, TexasMcNary, Texas is a small town at the intersection of Interstate 10 and State Highway 20. It is two miles from the Rio Grande and twenty-three miles west of Sierra Blanca in southwestern Hudspeth County. The area was initially settled in 1921, and named Nulo. The town was renamed McNary, after...
) - Fort Richardson (Near Jacksboro, TX)
- Fort Ringgold (near Rio Grande City, TX)
- Fort D. A. RussellFort D. A. RussellFort D.A. Russell was the name of two United States Military posts:*Fort D.A. Russell , Cheyenne, Wyoming*Fort D.A. Russell , Marfa, Texas...
(near Marfa, TX) - Sophienburg or Princess Sophia's Fort (in New Braunfels, TX)
- Fort Stockton (in Fort Stockton, TX)
- Fort Terrett (near Roosevelt, TX)
- Fort WorthHistory of Fort Worth, TexasThe history of Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States is closely intertwined with the history of northern Texas and the history of the Texan frontier...
World War I
Prior to the World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, revolutions in Mexico led to unrest along the US border, including Mexican raids on towns in the Southwest United States. This led to garrisoning by the US Army of camps and forts all along the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
river, Texas' border with Mexico.
Forts of this period include:
- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
(near El Paso, TX) - Fort BrownFort BrownFort Brown was a military post of the United States Army in Texas during the later half of 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.-Early years:...
(in Brownsville, TX) - Fort Clark (near Brackettville, TX)
- Fort CrockettFort CrockettFort Crockett is a government reservation on Galveston Island overlookingthe Gulf of Mexico originally built as a defense installation to protect the city and harbor of Galveston and to secure the entrance to Galveston Bay,...
(in Galveston, TX) - Fort DuncanFort DuncanFort Duncan was a U.S. Army post, set up to protect the first U.S. settlement on the Rio Grande near the current town of Eagle Pass, Texas.Fort Duncan was established on March 27, 1849, when Captain Sidney Burbank occupied the site with companies A, B, and F of the First United States Infantry...
(near Eagle Pass, TX) - Fort Holland (near Valentine, TX)
- Fort McIntoshFort McIntosh (Texas)Fort McIntosh was a military base in Laredo, Webb County, Texas, that existed from 1849 to 1946.Fort McIntosh was established in 1849 to guard the Texas frontier at the site of a strategicriver crossing...
(near Laredo, TX) - Fort Ringgold (near Rio Grande City, TX)
- Fort D. A. RussellFort D. A. RussellFort D.A. Russell was the name of two United States Military posts:*Fort D.A. Russell , Cheyenne, Wyoming*Fort D.A. Russell , Marfa, Texas...
(near Marfa, TX) - Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
(in San Antonio, TX) - Fort San Jacinto (in Galveston, TX)
- Fort Travis (on Point Bolivar, TX)
Additionally, unfortified coastal artillery
Coastal artillery
Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications....
stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U-boats or commerce raiders from approaching Texas ports. This included Freeport, Sabine Pass and San Luis Pass.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the US Army opened or expanded a number of bases and airfields for training. Extensive U-Boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
activity in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
led to concern about naval raids on Texas ports and coastal cities by ships and submarines of the Axis powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
.
Forts of this period include:
- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
(near El Paso, TX) - Fort BrownFort BrownFort Brown was a military post of the United States Army in Texas during the later half of 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.-Early years:...
(in Brownsville, TX) - Fort Clark (near Brackettville, TX)
- Fort CrockettFort CrockettFort Crockett is a government reservation on Galveston Island overlookingthe Gulf of Mexico originally built as a defense installation to protect the city and harbor of Galveston and to secure the entrance to Galveston Bay,...
(in Galveston, TX) - Fort McIntosh (near Laredo, TX)
- Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
(in San Antonio, TX) - Fort D. A. RussellFort D. A. RussellFort D.A. Russell was the name of two United States Military posts:*Fort D.A. Russell , Cheyenne, Wyoming*Fort D.A. Russell , Marfa, Texas...
(near Marfa, TX) - Fort San Jacinto (in Galveston, TX)
- Fort Travis (on Point Bolivar, TX)
Additionally, unfortified coastal artillery
Coastal artillery
Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications....
stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U-boats or aircraft from approaching Texas ports. This included Sabine Pass, Port Arthur, Baytown, Freeport, Port Aransas, Port Isabel, and San Luis Pass. Also, a number of camps for prisoners of war were established.
Cold War
The emergence of nuclear weapons and a period of comparative tranquility amongst Texas' inhabitants and neighbors saw the end of conventional fortifications in Texas. However, forts in Texas served as home bases for major US Army units, and also served as important training areas for the US military and her various allies during the Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Forts of this period include:
- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
(near El Paso, TX) - Fort Hood (near Killeen, TX)
- Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
(in San Antonio, TX)
21st Century
Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
and Fort Hood remain the headquarters for major American army units, and both reservations remain important training areas for US and allied forces. Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
remains the home for the Army Medical Department
Army Medical Department (United States)
The Army Medical Department of the U.S. Army – known as the AMEDD – comprises the Army's six medical Special Branches of officers and medical enlisted soldiers. It was established as the "Army Hospital" in July 1775 to coordinate the medical care required by the Continental Army during the...
. The US Navy retains a major training center at Corpus Christi, and the US Air Force has retained a small number of bases. Defense cutbacks have closed a large number of smaller bases and camps.
Due to continuing interest in the colorful history of Texas and her people, archaeological exploration of known and recently discovered historical forts continues.