Fort Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Elliott
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Ghost Town
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Texas historical marker for Fort Elliott
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 Fort Elliott
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Wheeler |
| U.S. Army Fort | June 5, 1875 |
| Elevation | 2,661 ft (811 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (MDT) |
Fort Elliott was an important United States Army base in the Texas Panhandle. It was open from 1875 to 1890. The fort was named after Major Joel H. Elliott, who died in the Battle of Washita River in 1868.
Building Fort Elliott
The idea to build Fort Elliott came in December 1874. Colonel Nelson A. Miles decided to create it. It was meant to be a supply base during a campaign. This campaign aimed to secure the Texas Panhandle after the Second Battle of Adobe Walls in 1874.
Major James Biddle set up a temporary camp on February 3, 1875. He had soldiers from the 6th US Cavalry and 5th Infantry. The permanent fort was built on June 5, 1875. It was located about 27 miles west of Indian Territory. This spot was near the start of Sweetwater Creek.
Who Served at the Fort?
Many different soldiers served at Fort Elliott. This included Buffalo Soldiers, who were African-American troops. They played a big role in the area.
The fort's main job was to protect the borders of the Panhandle. It also guarded the cattle drives from Texas to Kansas. The town of Mobeetie grew right next to the fort. Early settlers there included Timothy Dwight Hobart and Temple Lea Houston.
Some famous people who served at Fort Elliott were:
- Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper: He was the first black graduate of West Point Military Academy.
- Captain Emerson H. Liscum
- Lieutenant Frederick Dent Grant
Why Fort Elliott Was Important
Fort Elliott had two main goals. First, it helped keep peace with Native American groups on their reservations. This happened while bison hunting continued. Second, it encouraged Anglo-Americans to settle in the area. This was especially true for land beyond the 100th meridian.
As soon as the fort was built, the cattle industry grew fast. Large ranches were set up on the open range. This started with the JA Ranch in 1876. It continued until 1886, when the XIT Ranch was fenced. Fort Elliott was built on a high spot near Sweetwater Creek. The fort was shaped like a horseshoe, with the open end facing southwest.
