Texas Forts of the Old West - Page 3

<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >> 

Fort Chadbourne (1852-67) - This fort was one of the outer ring of posts founded in the early 1850's to protect the Texas frontier from plundering Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Other forts in the ring were Forts Belknap, Phantom Hill, McKavett, and Clark. The post was built by companies A and K of the Eighth United States Infantry and named for 2nd Lieutenant Theodore Lincoln Chadbourne who fought and was killed in the Mexican War in the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.

Fort Chadbourne, 1854.

Fort Cibolo (1850s-1880s) - Located on Cibolo Creek four miles northwest of present-day Shafter, this private fort was built by Anglo-American rancher, Milton Faver to protect himself and area settlers from Indian raids. It was named for the Spanish word meaning "buffalo." The fortress was surrounded by 20 feet high walls, which were 3-4 feet thick, and set with  broken bottles to prevent attackers from scaling them. Corner towers and small windows in the walls allowed defenders to shoot from inside. Behind the walls was a one-story adobe structure with strong fortified doors and windows. The self-sufficient fort, also cared for livestock to the north of the fort, farmed various types of vegetables, and acted as a trading post, sometimes trading with the area Indians. Though a private citadel, it also served as an outpost for army detachments from Fort Davis. During the Civil War, Fort Davis was abandoned and during this time, when Indian attacks occurred there was little resistance other than that of Faver and his men at Fort Cibolo. After the war, Fort Davis was reoccupied by Federal troops, and Fort Cibola often re-supplied patrolling troops. Milton Faver died in December, 1889. The land eventually became part of a ranch.

Fort Clark Quartermaster's Building.

Fort Clark (1852-1946) - Unlike many other forts prominent in the Indian Wars, this fort in south-central Texas remained an active post through World War II. It was founded in 1852 and inactivated in the mid-1940's. Southern anchor of the Texas defense line in the 1850's, it guarded the San Antonio-El Paso Road and policed the Mexican border. In 1861, at the onset of the Civil War and the secession of Texas, the Confederates moved in, and was occupied by the Second Texas Mounted Rifles until August, 1862. It was then used briefly as a hospital for Confederate troops and area civilians. The Union soldiers; however returned in December, 1866.

Fort Clark is perhaps most famous as the home for its Black Seminole Indian Scouts, which served at the fort from 1872 until 1914. Many infantry units and virtually all cavalry units, including the 9th and 10th Black "Buffalo Soldiers," were stationed at Fort Clark at various times.

The fort was the headquarters of Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie in 1873 when he created an international incident by crossing the border and attacking Kickapoo and Lipan Apache raiders who were using Mexico as a sanctuary. The troops also played a small role in the Red River War of 1874-75.

After the Indians in the region subdued, the fort was threatened with closure, but turmoil along the border due to the Mexican Revolution revitalized the military need for the Fort. During the Spanish-American War, Fort Clark was garrisoned by the Third Texas Infantry in 1898.

The fort remained active as an infantry and cavalry post, with troops serving in World War I. During the second world war, the fort was a cavalry training center and manned by the 112th Cavalry and the Texas National Guard Unit. During the war, the post also served as a German POW camp. One of the last horse-cavalry posts in the country, Fort Clark was officially deactivated in early 1946, and later that year was sold to the Brown and Root Company for salvage and later used as a guest ranch.

Approximately 25 to 30 buildings dating from the 19th century have survived amid later military construction. At least three of them, two sets of officers' quarters and one other building, all of vertical log construction, probably date from the early 1850's. The remainder, of stone construction, were constructed in the later 1850's or the 1880's. They include officers' quarters, barracks, commanding officer's house, quartermaster storehouse, and guard house. Most of the buildings have been altered, and are used by a privately owned resort and leisure living community called Fort Clark Springs.

Since 1971, the Fort Clark Springs Association has developed the area, providing not only a living and resort community, but also preserving some 80 buildings that have been designated as a National Register Historic District. The old cavalry barracks have been transformed into a hotel. Inside the old guardhouse is a museum, operated by the Fort Clark Historical Society, which is open on weekends.

Contact Information:

Fort Clark Springs Association

PO Box 345

Brackettville, Texas  78832

830-563-2493

Continued Next Page

<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >> 

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Hand made turquoise and silver jewelry from the Rocky Mountain General Store is a favorite for those that love the Old West.  Here, you'll see a wide assortment of beautiful Belt Buckles, Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces and more.