Fort Martin Scott

Sketch of what Fort Martin Scott looked like

Reconstructed Officers Quarters, Bldg. B.

Fort Martin Scott (1848-1853) (1866) - Established 5 Dec 1848 by Capt Seth Eastman, 1st U.S. Infantry as Camp Houston and renamed in Dec 1849 for Maj. Martin Scott who was killed during the Mexican War at the battle of Molino del Rey, 8 Sep 1847.

Fort Martin Scott History

The fort was one of 8 established after the Mexican War along the then western frontier. These forts were built under the command of Gen. George Mercer Brooke and served to establish Federal authority along the frontier. The forts were Fort Inge (1849-1869), Fort Lincoln (1) (1849-1852), Fort Martin Scott (1848-1866), Fort Croghan (1) (1849–1855), Fort Gates (1849-1852), Fort Graham (1849-1853), and Fort Worth (1849-1853).

The fort was originally constructed to protect the Northern end of the Fredricksburg - San Antonio Road against the hostile Commanche Indians. German settlers had concluded a treaty with the Comanches in 1847 and there were no attacks on the fort. The fort was occupied by Federal troops 1848-1853 and reoccupied by Federal troops after the U.S. Civil War in September 1866 but abandoned in December of that year.

Current Status

The fort site is owned by the city of Fredericksburg and operated by the Gillespie County Historical Society. The society has developed the property as a park and historic site and continues with archeological projects and historic renovations. Site has a visitor's center, two reconstructed officer's quarters and the only remaining original building, the guardhouse.

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Location: On Baron's Creek 2.4 miles South of Fredericksburg, Texas on US 290. Street address is 1606 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 997-9895. Open year round Tuesday-Sunday 10am - 5pm. Maps & Images Lat: 30.249837 Long: -98.847299 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1632'

Sources:

• Frazer, Robert W., Forts of the West, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman OK, 1965, ISBN 0-8061-1250-6, page 155
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 163
• The Texas Handbook OnLine

Links:

• Fort Martin Scott Official Site
• Fort Martin Scott Virtual Tour

Visited: 11 Oct 2007

Fort Martin Scott Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Entrance marker
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  Texas Historical Marker at Fort Martin Scott
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  Mac Burnett our guide
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  Close up of reconstructed Officers Quarters, Bldg. B.
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  Inside Officers Quarters, Bldg. B.
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  Baron's Creek behind Fort Martin Scott
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  Restored Guardhouse
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  Cells inside the restored Guardhouse
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  Officer of the day room in the Fort Martin Scott Guardhouse
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  Well at Fort Martin Scott
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  Plan of Fort Martin Scott
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  Parade ground at Fort Martin Scott