Fort McKavett - Menard County, TX
Posted by: 
0ccam
N 30° 49.501 W 100° 06.638
14R E 393776 N 3410737
Quick Description: The Fort was built as part of a chain of military posts designed to control the native population and protect settlers traveling the road between San Antonio and El Paso. Gen. William T. Sherman once called Ft. McKavett "the prettiest post in Texas".
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 5/31/2009 11:31:15 AM
Waymark Code: WM6GE8
Views: 1
Long Description:Camp San Saba (the original name, because it overlooks the
headwaters of the San Saba River Valley) was established by five
companies of the Eighth Infantry in March 1852 to protect frontier
settlers and travelers on Upper El Paso Road.
The camp was later renamed for Capt. Henry McKavett, killed at
the battle of Monterey on Sept. 21, 1846. The fort was abandoned in
March 1859 and reoccupied in April 1868. By 1880, the fort was no
longer needed and it was again abandoned on June 30, 1883.
The site is a natural setting for a frontier post meant to guard
the upper San Antonio-El Paso road. The limestone hilltop commanded
distant views in all directions. The nearby spring fed creek
provided a dependable source of drinking water. Under the direction
of their officers, enlisted men of the 8th Infantry quarried stone
on site and cut the pecan and oaks used for some of the
construction. By 1856, they had completed 21 permanent buildings.
Wild game was abundant and supplemented army rations, but isolated
forts were not self-sufficient.
Today, 19 surviving historic structures remind visitors what it
took for travelers to pass through safely.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened Fort McKavett
State Historic Site to the public in 1968. The site totals 79.5
acres and is located 23 miles west of Menard at the edge of the
Texas Hill Country. Restored buildings include the 1874 hospital
which currently houses the interpretive center; officers' quarters
dating from the 1850s to the 1880s; an 1870s barracks; the post
headquarters; bakery; dead house; and sinks or latrines. Apart from
the post hospital and current furnishing projects, the buildings
are empty.
On January 1, 2008 Fort McKavett State Historic Site was
transferred from Texas Parks and Wildlife to the Texas Historical
Commission. This will be a great move for the site. The site is now
open 7 days a week from 8AM to 5PM, and has a full complement of
staff.
Some of this information is from the The Friends of Fort
McKavett State Historic Site
(visit
link) . Other information from the links below.