Fort McKavett State Historic Site facts for kids
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Fort McKavett Historic District
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The parade grounds of Fort McKavett State Historic Site and restored officers' quarters.
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 Fort McKavett Historic District
Location in Texas
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| Location | S bank of the San Saba River, Menard County, Texas, USA |
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| Area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
| Built | 1846 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000955 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1971 |
Fort McKavett State Historic Site is a historic army fort located in Menard County, Texas. It was first set up in 1852 as "Camp on the San Saba." Its main job was to protect settlers from raids by Native American groups. The camp was later renamed to honor Captain Henry McKavett. He was a brave soldier who died in the Mexican–American War.
Fort McKavett was part of a chain of frontier forts. These forts helped keep the peace and protect people moving into new areas. Other forts in this system included Griffin, Concho, Belknap, Chadbourne, Stockton, Davis, Bliss, Richardson, Clark, McIntosh, Inge, and Phantom Hill in Texas. Sill in Oklahoma was also part of this network.
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Recognizing Fort McKavett's History
Fort McKavett has been recognized as an important historical place. On July 4, 1971, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history.
The fort also received three Recorded Texas Historic Landmark markers. These markers are special signs that tell about important historical sites in Texas. One marker was placed in 1936 for the fort's site. Another in 1963 was for its use during the Civil War. A third marker in 1968 was for the Sentry Building.
A Look Back at Fort McKavett's Past
Early Days of the Fort
The U.S. Army's 8th Infantry set up Fort McKavett in March 1852. They built the first buildings on land they rented. Different army units came and went over the years. These included the 2nd Dragoons, who were soldiers trained to fight on horseback. Later, the 1st Infantry took over.
The fort was left empty in March 1859. This happened because there were fewer raids by Native Americans. Also, fewer people were moving into the area at that time.
Fort McKavett During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, soldiers from the Confederate army took over the fort in 1861. They used it as a temporary camp for prisoners of war. These prisoners were U.S. Army soldiers captured in a battle near San Antonio.
The fort remained a prison camp until the spring of 1862. The prisoners were then moved to other camps. After that, Confederate troops used Fort McKavett as a base until the war ended.
Reopening and New Challenges
Fort McKavett was reopened on April 1, 1868. This was part of an effort to bring back military protection to the frontier. The soldiers who arrived found the old fort in poor condition.
A small town grew up near the fort. It was sometimes called "Scabtown." This town was about a mile north of the fort. Today, the historic site is about 23 miles west of the town of Menard.
Buffalo Soldiers at the Fort
In 1869, the 24th Infantry Regiment was formed at Fort McKavett. Many of these soldiers were African American, known as "Buffalo Soldiers." They played a big role in protecting the frontier. One famous Buffalo Soldier, Sergeant Emanuel Stance, received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in a fight against Native Americans in 1870.
During this time, there were sometimes tensions between the soldiers and the local settlers. These tensions were part of the challenges faced during the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War.
Connecting the Frontier
In 1875, Fort McKavett became connected by telegraph. This allowed messages to be sent quickly to other forts like Fort Concho and to cities like San Antonio. This was a big step in connecting the frontier.
The Fort's Final Years
The U.S. Army closed Fort McKavett for good on June 30, 1883. By this time, the threat from Native Americans had largely ended. Unlike its first closing, many residents stayed in the area.
By the mid-1890s, the community around the fort had grown. It had about 80 people, a weekly newspaper, and two hotels. In 1904, the local school had 28 students. The population of Fort McKavett changed over the years, reaching about 150 in the 1920s.
Bringing the Fort Back to Life
Work to restore Fort McKavett began in 1968. The old school building and one of the barracks were acquired. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department took control of the site. By 1990, 17 buildings had been restored.
On January 1, 2008, the Texas Historical Commission took over the fort. It is now known as Fort McKavett State Historic Site. The site covers about 82 acres and is open to the public every day. Visitors can explore the restored buildings and learn about life on the frontier.
Gallery
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Fort McKavett Historical Marker
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Looking from Captain's Quarters towards Lieutenant's Row
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Ruins of the Commanding Officer's Quarters
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Model in the site museum
Images for kids
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Ruins of the commanding officer's residence
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The headquarters building
