North American Forts

American Forts: West

MEXICO

There were numerous Spanish, Mexican, and French forts here over the centuries, but descriptions
of them all are beyond the scope of this website. We have decided to feature only those forts
that were built and/or captured by the United States Army in 1847, and other sites of interest.
This list makes no claim of completeness.
Pre-Columbian Native American structures are too numerous to list here, and are not included.

Last Update: 28/OCTOBER/2006

Castillo de Chapultepec (Español)
(1783 - 1866), Mexico City
An old Spanish fortress on a 200-foot hill overlooking the city. Completed in 1840. It was taken by the Americans in 1847 during the Mexican-American War. It contained a Mexican military school at the time, and was solely defended by the cadets. This is the "Halls of Montezuma" in the USMC Hymn. Taken over by the French in 1863 by Archduke Maximilian. The Presidential Palace was built in 1866 by Maximilian for himself and his wife Carlota. It served as the Mexican President's official residence until 1939. The Museo Nacional de Historia is now here. Admission fee.
Nearby in 1847 was the Ciudadela fortress, and also the fortified Casa Mata.

The city was first settled by the Spanish in 1521 on the ruins of the Aztec city Tenochtitlán, and a substantial Citadel was built by Hernán Cortés on Lake Texcoco, consisting of two strong towers with several gun embrasures and loopholes, connected by a work forming three arches from which ships could sail under. It was constructed from the stones of the Aztec temples. This was located in the present-day Zócalo (the main public square).

Camp Contreras
(1847), Mexico City Federal District
A Mexican fortified camp near Churubusco which was taken by the Americans during the Mexican-American War.
Nearby, Franciscan Churubusco Convent (1678) was also fortified by General Santa Anna's forces. It was taken by the Americans in 1847. The Museo Nacional de las Intervenciones (admission fee) is now located within the complex.

Castillo de San Juan de Ulúa
(1582 - 1917 ?), Veracruz
The Spanish first fortified Isla Gallega in 1535. The present structure was extensively rebuilt many times beginning in 1582 to 1707 - 1712. Modifications were made in 1762 and 1774. In the 1590's the fort consisted of a square tower connected by a 120 meter double curtain wall to a large half-bastion, all mounted with artillery. Large bronze rings were set into the ramparts to provide mooring for ships. English privateers John Hawkins and Francis Drake were repulsed here in 1568, but still returned home as heroes. The city was sacked by Dutch pirates in 1683. The city's capture by Mexican Patriots in 1825 ended Spanish rule in North America. Captured by the Americans in 1847 during the Mexican-American War. The French took the fort in 1862 before taking over the country under Maximilian. The United States Navy bombarded the fort and city in 1914. Now on the island are an arsenal, drydock, shipyard, and marine signal station. The dungeons and walks are open to the public, accessed via a free causeway from extensions of Avenidas Morelos and República.

Baluarte de Santiago
(1635), Veracruz
This is the last remaining segment of the original walls that surrounded the city, located a few blocks from the customs house (Aduana Marítima). It was first constructed in 1635 in response to pirate raids, and took a beating when the Americans invaded in 1847. There were once several other supporting redoubts along the wall, and a large fort on the west-side of the city.
The city was founded by the Spanish in 1519, and a Casa Fuerte was built at that time by Hernán Cortés. The original site of the city was located 32 km (20 miles) north at La Antigua on Highway 180. A cannon marks the ruin of the stronghouse and church (La Ermita). General Santa Anna's army barracks (1835) are also here.

Puebla Forts
(1847, 1862), Puebla
Fuerte de Loreto and Fuerte de Guadalupe are located just northeast of the city center in the Plaza of the Americas. Fort Loreto was occupied by the American Army in 1847. Fort Guadalupe was built later. They both were later strongholds of the Mexican Army in 1862 under General Ignacio Zaragosa against a larger French force under Archduke Maximilian. The defeat of the French here on May 5, 1862 has been celebrated as a national holiday ever since (Cinco de Mayo).

Monterrey Fortifications
(1846), Monterrey
Several Mexican works attacked and captured by the Americans in 1846 included: Ciudadela, Fortin de la Teneria, Fortin de la Federación, and another small unnamed Fortin and several earthwork batteries near the city plaza and cathedral. The Bishop's Palace (El Obispado) (1787), located at the west end of Avenida Padre Mier, was a Mexican stronghold for two days after the city fell to the Americans. The Americans were encamped at Campo de Santo Domingo.

Tampico Fort ?
(1846), Tampico
The American Navy captured the small Mexican fort at the mouth of the Rio Pánuco, later garrisoned by General Taylor's troops.
The city was previously fortified by the Spanish.

Spanish Presidios of Northern New Spain (Nueva España Norte)
(in existence around the 1720's as listed in records)
See also pages for TEXAS, LOUISIANA, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA, and CALIFORNIA for other Spanish presidios.

Nayarit:
Presidio de San Francisco Javier de Valero (1721), with outposts at San Juan Peyotán, Huaynamota (on Rio Huaynamota), Santo Domingo de Ixcatán, and Mesa del Tonati (now Mesa del Nayor).

Durango:
Durango Post, a flying squadron that was moved to Canatlán in 1725.
Presidio del Pasaje (1685), on Rio Nazas northwest of Cuencamé.
Presidio de San Pedro del Gallo (1690's) in Gallo.
Presidio de Santiago de Mapimí (1715), in Mapimí.
Presidio de Santa Catalina de Tepehuanes (1620 - 1690's?), in Tepehuanes.
Presidio de San Miguel de Cerrogordo.

Chihuahua:
Presidio de Santa Rosa de Sacramento (proposed to be built in 1725 near Ojinaga).
Presidio de San Bartolomé (unknown - 1710), located 20km east of Parral. Replaced by flying squadron Post of Valle de San Bartolomé (1710 - unknown).
Presidio de San Francisco de Conchos
Presidio de El Paso del Río Grande del Norte, at Ciudad Juárez.
Presidio de San Felipe y Santiago de Janos (1685), in Janos.
Presidio de Casas Grandes (1685), was relocated to Janos in 1685.

Sonora:
Presidio de Santa Rosa de Corodéguachi (Fronteras) (1692), on Rio Moctezuma.

Sinaloa:
Presidio de Sinaloa, on Rio Sinaloa at Sinaloa de Leyva.
El Fuerte, on Rio Fuerte.
Presidio de San Sebastian de Chametla (unknown - 1685), in Concordia.

Coahuila:
Presidio de San Juan Bautista del Río Grande del Norte, in Guerrero.
Saltillo Post, (town founded 1570's).
Presidio de Coahuila, in Monclova.
Presidio de Santa Rosa de Sacramento (1737 - 1738), in Ciudad Acuña, moved to Melchor Múzquiz.

Nuevo Leon:
Presidio de San Gregorio de Cerralvo, (town founded 1626).
Presidio de San Juan Bautista de Cadereyta, (town founded 1637).

San Luis Potosi:
Post de Los Valles, in Ciudad Valles.

Other Spanish Presidios in Northern Mexico
(late 18th century)

Coahuila:
Presidio de San Vicente, in San Vicente.

Chihuahua:
Presidio de San Carlos, near present-day Manuel Benavides.
Presidio del Norte, in Ojinaga.

Baja California Sur:
Loreto Presidio (1697), in Loreto.

Perote Fort ?
(1770 - unknown), Perote
A Spanish four-bastioned fort, completed in 1777, was built here to serve as a fall back position should Veracruz fall.

Carmen Fort ?
(unknown dates), Ciudad del Carmen
A Spanish fort was built here at the entrance to Laguna de Términos.

Campeche Fort ? ?
(1686 - unknown), Campeche
A 1.5 mile hexagonal stone-walled city with eight smaller fortresses (or redoubts) mounting 92 guns protected the city from pirate attacks. Founded in 1540, the city was attacked by pirates in 1663 and by the French in 1685. The fortifications were begun in 1686 and took 18 years to complete. The walls and the fortresses still exist today, and the entire old city section is a national historic monument. Fuerte de la Soledad is three blocks north of the Puerta del Mar gate, and has been converted into a local museum of Mayan and colonial history. Fuerte de Santiago faces the sea. Fuerte de San Carlos, built on the site of an earlier fort, is now a government-sponsored handicrafts market, with many underground passageways (most now blocked) to other buildings in the city. Guided tours for fee. The parapet still has period cannon mounted for display.
Outside the city walls to the west was built Fuerte de San Miguel in 1779, completed by 1782 with additional improvements in 1801. It was a large square bastioned fort located on a hill facing the sea. Four other batteries were built in 1792 around the city.

Mérida Fort ?
(1788), Mérida
The city was once surrounded by a hexagon wall with six redoubts, in response to pirate raids and Indian attacks. The walls were demolished about 100 years later as the city grew, but three gates (of 13) are still preserved. The Arco de los Dragones is located on Calle 50 at Calle 61, one block south of the Museo de Arte Popular. The city was originally settled by the Spanish in 1542 on the ruins of the Mayan city T'ho. Stones from the Mayan temples were used to construct the Spanish city, especially the Cathedral of San Idelfonso, in 1556 - 1599, the oldest cathedral on the North American continent.

Cozumel Fort
(1526), Isla Cozumel
A Casa Fuerte was built here in 1526.

Bacalar Fort
(1727 - 1848), Bacalar
Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar was built of stone in 1727 replacing an earlier wood and earthen fort. The city was founded by the Spanish in 1528. Destroyed by pirates in 1628. The city was resettled and rebuilt by Canary Islanders in 1726. Attacked and taken by Mayan Indians during the 1848 War of the Castes. The Mexican Army retook control of the city in 1901. The fort is now a museum of local history and archaeology.

Isla Mezcala Fort
(1812 - 1816), near Chapala
Located on Isla Mezcala in Lago de Chapala, south of Guadalajara, the ruins of a fort and bastion date from the Mexican War of Independence, when 1500 Mexican patriots held out against the Spanish before hunger forced their surrender.

Mazatlán Fort ? ? ?
(unknown dates), Mazatlán
An old Spanish fort is noted on some modern maps (Lookout Hill ?). No other information available. The city was founded by the Spanish in 1531, and became a port in the gold trade from inland mines.

San Blas Fort ?
(unknown dates), San Blas
The ruins of an 18th-century Spanish fortress are located on a hill overlooking the town. The town was once a shipbuilding center and a stop for the Philippines treasure fleet.

Chamela Fort
(unknown dates), Chamela
Founded in 1525 by the Spanish, this area later served as a fortified anchorage for the Philippines treasure fleet.

Castillo de San Diego de Acapulco ?
(1778 - 1910 ?), Acapulco
The original fort, a small pentagon with five bastions built in 1616 - 1617, was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1776. It was rebuilt and greatly enlarged in 1778 as a moated pentagon-shaped fortress with bastions at each corner. Construction on its present form was completed in 1784. All the sentry boxes were removed during restoration in the 1970's. Located on a hill east of the main square in Old Acapulco. Mexican patriot General José María Morelos attacked the fortress in 1813 during the War of Independence, the Spanish garrison capitulated after a four-month seige. Bombarded by French naval forces in 1863. In 1910 Mexican Federal forces defended the fort against the revolutionaries trying to take the city. Known today as Fuerte de San Diego. Located within the fort is the Museo Histórico de Acapulco (admission fee).
The city was first settled by the Spanish in 1550. The first fortifications, originally a series of wooden and earthen ramparts to protect the city from English and Dutch pirates, were built after 1565 with the annual arrivals of the Philippines treasure fleet. The city was sacked by the Dutch in 1615.

NEED MORE INFO: Other locations found on maps include El Fuerte in State of Zacatecas on the Rio Aguanaval, and Castillo de Teayo in State of Veracruz near Tuxpan on the Rio Tuxpan.
Any additional information on these and other sites will be greatly appreciated.