Fort D. A. Russell -- Marfa TX - Historic Forts on Waymarking.com

The waymark coordinates are for building 98 at Fort D.A. Russell, which began as an Army supply post during Pancho Villa's reign of terror along the Texas border, and finished it's time as a Fort holding German Afrika Corps prisoners of war.

When Fort DA Russell was decommissioned in 1946, many of its buildings were sold to private owners. For this reason, most of the forts structures, including most of the officers quarters, are still in use today. Those that were not sold fell into disrepair, however within the last 10 years those buildings have been acquired by the Chianti foundation for use as an artist colony and incubator for the arts in Marfa.

From the Handbook of Texas online:

FORT D. A. RUSSELL

In 1911 the Mexican Revolution in progress alarmed the citizens of Presidio County, Texas, who feared that Mexican forces might raid across the border. To provide protection the United States government sent military forces to the Mexican border areas, including Marfa, Texas, where several cavalry troops were sent. The post at Marfa, first named Camp Albert and then renamed Camp Marfa, also was the base for Signal Corps biplanes that patrolled the Rio Grande during the crisis. From 1913 to 1916 cavalry units from Fort Bliss rotated to Marfa for garrison and field duties. During World War I, Camp Marfa was expanded to accommodate numerous units, including federal, state, and national guard troops. In 1920 the post was designated as headquarters for the Marfa Command, which replaced the Big Bend District. Between 1923 and 1936, the War Department took advantage of the remote location of Camp Marfa to conduct simulated combat maneuvers on a large tract of land made available by local ranchers.

On January 1, 1930, Secretary of War Patrick Hurley announced that Camp Marfa was to be renamed Fort D. A. Russell in honor of Gen. David Allen Russell, a native New Yorker who served in the Mexican War and Civil War and was killed fighting for the Union at Winchester, Virginia, in 1864. A Wyoming fort had previously borne the name, but it had been renamed Fort Warren. Hurley also announced that the post was to be a permanent installation instead of a temporary army post. When the government began to consider abandoning the fort in 1931, the Marfa Chamber of Commerce and civic and political leaders tried to retain the installation. The 650 officers and men, maintenance for 400 horses and mules, and payroll of $480,000 a year added greatly to the Marfa economy during the Great Depression. However, in 1932 Marfa lost its fight, and on January 2, 1933, Fort Russell was left in the hands of caretakers.

In 1935 the post was regarrisoned by 700 men of the Seventy-seventh Field Artillery. In 1938 the first group scheduled for officer training arrived. Training continued at the fort for several years. During the prewar and World War II years, Fort Russell added 2,400 acres donated by the citizens of Marfa, planted 1,000 trees, improved existing buildings, and built new ones. By this time 1,000 men were stationed at the fort. In 1944 the first woman officer was assigned to the post, and civilian women replaced soldiers as drivers of cars and trucks. During the war a camp for prisoners of war also was established at Marfa.

Fort D. A. Russell was deactivated in 1945, closed on October 23, 1946, and transferred from the army to the Corps of Engineers in preparation for transfer to the Texas National Guard. In 1949 most of the fort area and facilities were sold to private citizens.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Post History (Fort D. A. Russell, 1944). Voice of the Mexican Border, Centennial ed., 1936."

A state historic marker in front of Building 98 reads as follows:

"BUILDING 98
FORT D A RUSSELL

Constructed in 1920, Building 98 housed the Officers Club and Bachelor Officers Quarters for Fort D.A. Russell. During the latter years of World War II, from 1943 to 1945, German prisoners of war from Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps were housed at the fort, and evidence of their ornate artwork can be found on the building's interior walls. Murals depict views from a courtyard and include scenes typical of west Texas. Constructed of adobe and concrete, Building 98 features a pebbledash finish and an A-shaped footprint, with one courtyard completely enclosed and another enclosed on three sides.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2004"

The other state historic marker at Fort D. A. Russell gives a more general overview history of the fort, and reads as follows:

"FORT D A RUSSELL

Originally named Camp Marfa, this installation began as a supply post for U. S. Army border patrol stations in 1911. It was a cavalry camp during the years of the Mexican Revolution. Renamed for Civil War general David Allen Russell, it became a permanent Army post in 1929. Deactivated at the end of 1933, it was reopened in 1935 with artillery units. During World War II Fort Russell became an army training camp, and was home to a chemical warfare battalion as well as German prisoners of war. The fort was officially closed in October 1946. (1989)"

The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1911 Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": United States Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: No it wasn't What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim. Current condition: Many dilapidated buildings: some buildings in good condition being used as private homes, Bldg 98 is a RTHL landmark This site is administered by ----: Chianti Foundation If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Open to the public?: Restricted hours -Admission charged Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link] Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link] Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed

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