Fort Croghan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Croghan
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Historical Park Site
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Fort Croghan Outpost
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 Fort Croghan
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Burnet |
| U.S. Army Fort | March 13, 1849 |
| Elevation | 1,329 ft (405 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (MDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1357583 |
Fort Croghan was an important military outpost in Texas. It was one of the first forts built by the United States government. Its main job was to protect new settlers from attacks by some Native American groups.
The fort was started on March 18, 1849. It was home to soldiers until it closed in 1855. Fort Croghan was part of a line of forts across the Texas frontier. This chain of forts stretched from Fort Worth to Fort Inge near Uvalde. The fort was named after Colonel George Croghan.
Originally, Fort Croghan covered about 50 acres near the city of Burnet, Texas. Today, only a small part of the old fort remains. This is thanks to the Burnet County Historical Society. They worked hard in the 1960s to buy and save this important piece of history.
Contents
Why Fort Croghan Was Built
In the 1840s, Texas joined the United States. This meant the U.S. government became responsible for protecting settlers. Many people were moving to the Texas frontier. They were looking for new land and opportunities.
At first, Texas Rangers helped protect the area. They were paid by the federal government. In 1847, a group of Rangers set up a station near what is now Burnet. More and more settlers arrived, often from other countries. They hoped to find good farmland. However, much of the best land was already taken. They had to move far inland to find available land.
Native American Lands and Conflicts
The land where settlers were moving had been home to indigenous peoples of the Americas for thousands of years. These groups, like the Comanche and Apache, did not build permanent homes. They moved around, following animals and seasons.
During the U.S.-Mexican War, there was some peace between settlers and Native Americans. But as more settlers arrived, conflicts began. The Comanche and Apache were upset. They saw these new settlers as invading their traditional hunting grounds. This led to more raids and fighting.
Choosing the Fort's Location
The government first thought about building Fort Croghan near Holland Springs. But Sam Holland, an early settler, did not want a military post so close to his home. So, they decided to build the fort a few miles north on Hamilton Creek.
A very important factor for the fort's location was water. They needed a steady supply of clean water all year round. Water was essential for the soldiers, their animals, and for daily life at the fort.
Life at the Fort
The soldiers at Fort Croghan built all the necessary buildings themselves. These included a hospital, a bakery, and living quarters for officers and enlisted men. There was also a powderhouse for storing gunpowder, and stables for horses and mules. A blacksmith shop was important for making and repairing tools. They also built storage buildings and a lookout post on top of Post Mountain.
In October 1849, soldiers from the 8th Infantry arrived to live at the new fort. Fort Croghan had log cabins and a strong stockade fence for protection. It was staffed by both cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and infantry (soldiers who fight on foot).
The first commander was Captain Phillip St. George Cook. Other captains, like Blake, Lee, and Sibley, later commanded the fort. Some soldiers liked the area so much that they stayed after the fort closed. Christian Dorbandt, who later became the sheriff of Burnet County, was one of them. Noah Smithwick also worked at the fort as an armorer, repairing weapons.
A Town Grows Nearby
A small town quickly grew up across Hamilton Creek. Merchants and other people who offered services moved there to be close to the fort. They supplied the fort with things like beef and other food. Logan Vandeveer and Peter Kerr were among the first to get contracts to provide supplies.
In 1852, Logan Vandeveer helped ask the Texas Legislature to create Burnet County. The town was first called Hamilton or Hamilton Valley. But in 1858, its name was changed to Burnet, just like the county.
Fort Croghan had served its purpose and was no longer needed. It was abandoned in December 1853. The last building from the original fort was taken down in the 1920s. As the town of Burnet grew, the old fort was mostly forgotten for a while.
Fort Croghan Today
In the 1960s, people in Burnet County wanted to save this important part of their history. They formed the Burnet County Historical Society. This group raised money to buy the land where the fort once stood.
Local landowners also helped by donating old historical cabins. These cabins were moved to the fort grounds and put back together. One of these cabins is from McCulloch's Station, where the Texas Rangers were located.
Visiting the Fort Croghan Museum
Today, the Fort Croghan Museum is a great place to learn about frontier life. It has many historical artifacts. You can see old tools, household items, and Western gear.
The grounds have restored buildings that show what life was like back then. You can explore a stage-stop house, a blacksmith shop, and a schoolhouse. There's also a powder house, several cabins from the late 1800s, a lookout house, and a syrup-making shop. Each year, Fort Croghan Day is held to demonstrate how people lived on the frontier.
See also
- Fort Gates
- Fort Graham
- Fort Martin Scott
- Fort Duncan
