Fort McKavett - Menard County, TX
Posted by: 
QuesterMark
N 30° 49.501 W 100° 06.638
14R E 393776 N 3410737
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".
Waymark Code: WM6GE8
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 05/31/2009
Views: 5
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.