Fort Terán facts for kids

Fort Terán, also sometimes called Teran or Fort Turan, was an old Mexican military post. It was also a small settlement for Texians, who were people living in Texas before it became part of the United States. This fort was located in Tyler County, which is in East Texas. The fort was named after a Mexican general named Manuel Mier y Terán.

Where Was Fort Terán Located?

Fort Terán was built in a very important spot. It was at the "head of navigation" on the Neches River. This means it was as far up the river as boats could easily travel. A flat rock area in the riverbed made it easy to cross.

This location was important because three major trails crossed the river there. These trails connected Mexican Texas with the United States. They were the Alabama Trace, the Coushatta Trace, and the Orcoquisac Trace. These trails were often used by people who wanted to avoid the main, official roads like the Old San Antonio Road.

Why Was Fort Terán Built?

Mexican President Anastasio Bustamante wanted to control who moved into Texas. He made a rule to stop more Americans from moving there and bringing enslaved people. Fort Terán was built as part of this plan.

Colonel Peter Ellis Bean was in charge of building the fort. He also commanded it between 1831 and 1832. However, most of the soldiers were soon moved to other places. This happened because the government had less money and was trying to stop Antonio López de Santa Anna's fight against the government. The last soldiers left the fort in 1834.

Fort Terán and the Texas Revolution

During the early parts of the Texas Revolution, there was a fight called the Battle of Nacogdoches. Mexican soldiers from Fort Nacogdoches ran away south. They passed by the site of Fort Terán. There, a group of Texian rebels stopped them.

Like many old places, there were rumors that hidden gold was buried at Fort Terán. People often searched for this treasure. In 1954, an accident happened during one of these searches.

After the Revolution

After the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas became independent. A man named Samuel Belt started a ferry and a trading post at the Fort Terán site. A small community grew there. It was on the roads that connected Nacogdoches, Houston, and Jasper.

The site continued to be a port for steamboats. It was also a stop for stagecoaches. This continued until railroads became the main way to travel and move goods.

Fort Terán Today

Today, the site of Fort Terán is abandoned. The closest town is Rockland, which is on U.S. Route 69.