Fort Phantom Hill

Fort Phantom Hill (1851-1854) (1861-1865) (1871-1872) - A U.S. Army post established in1851 by Lt. Colonel John J. Abercrombie, 5th U.S. Infantry, but never officially named as a fort. Also known as Post at Brazos and Post on the Clear Fork of the Brazos. Finally abandoned in 1872.

Fort Phantom Hill History

A U.S. Army post established 14 Nov 1851 by Lt. Colonel John J. Abercrombie and five companies of the 5th U.S. Infantry. The post was poorly sited and fresh water was scarce from the start. The magazine, guardhouse, and commissary were built of locally quarried stone while the quarters and other buildings were of wood construction.

Between 1851 and 1854 the post protected the trails to Sante Fe, and the California gold fields. The post was first abandoned on 6 Apr 1854 and mysteriously burned down shortly thereafter. Between 1858 and 1861 the remaining buildings on the site were used as a Butterfield Overland stage station. During the U.S. Civil War the post was temporarily occupied by the Confederate Texas Mounted Rifles and the Texas Rangers. Finally abandoned in 1872.

Current Status

Private property but available for public visits. The commissary, guard house, and powder magazine are still present in some form and the other buildings are represented by foundation stones and chimneys.

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Location: Three Miles South of Nugent, Jones County, Texas. On W Lake Road (FM 600). Maps & Images Lat: 32.6435 Long: -99.6788 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1600'

Sources:

• Frazer, Robert W., Forts of the West, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1965, ISBN 0-8061-1250-6, page 156
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 164

Links:

• North America Forts - Fort Phantom Hill
• The Handbook of Texas on Line
• Fort Phantom Hill

Visited: No

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