West Texas

Last Update: 29/NOVEMBER/2015

Compiled by Phil and Pete Payette - Š2015 American Forts Network

Camp Comstock
(1914 - 1917), Comstock
A U.S. Army border patrol post.

Camp Blake
(1846, 1854), near Juno
A temporary Federal post located on the Devils (San Pedro) River.

Camp on the Rio San Pedro (1)
(1854 - 1855, 1859), near Juno
A Federal camp, apparently not the same site as Camp Hudson.

Camp Hudson
(1857 - 1865, 1867 - 1868, 1871), near Juno
A Federal infantry camp on the Chihuahua Trail, located on the west bank of the Devils (San Pedro) River about 40 miles northwest of Del Rio. Abandoned in 1861 and used intermittently by Confederates during the Civil War. Regarrisoned in 1867. Also called Camp on the San Pedro River (2). Some official records erroneously called it Fort Hudson. Monument (1936) at site.

Presidio del Altar ? ?
(1840's ?), near Sonora
A Spanish presidio of this name was supposedly located on the upper San Pedro (Devils) River. It appears on an 1847 map, although a U.S. Army expedition in 1849 found no evidence for it. Another possible location of a post of this name was north of Del Rio along the Rio Grande, near the mouth of the San Pedro (Devils) River. Early mapmakers may have been confused with another San Pedro River in present-day Arizona and a Presidio del Altar located on Rio del Altar in Sonora, Mexico.
(additional info provided by Marshall Sitrin)

Fort Terrett
(1852 - 1854), near Roosevelt
A Federal infantry post located 14 miles west of town on the north bank of the North Fork Llano River, built for the protection of settlers from Indians. Originally called Post on the Rio Llano or Post on the North Fork Llano River, and Camp Lugubre. Renamed in 1852. Sometimes referred to as Camp Terrett. Some buildings still remain at the Fort Terrett Ranch (private property), modified for modern use. Monument (1936) at site. See also Lands of America.com

Presidio de San Sabá
(1757 - 1769), Menard
Officially known as Presidio de San Luis de las Amarillas, it was built on the north bank of the San Sabá River to protect Mission de Santa Cruz de San Sabá (1757), which was located four miles east on the south bank, and which was destroyed by Comanche Indians in March 1758. The presidio survived the attack. The wooden structures were replaced by stone structures in 1761, but the mission itself was never rebuilt. Although already abandoned for all intents and purposes by 1769, the official order to abandon the post was not issued until 1772. The garrison was withdrawn to Zaragoza, Coahuila, Mexico. Partially restored (1930's) on the original foundations in San Sabá Historic Park on the west side of town. The mission site was discovered by archaeologists in 1993. See also MenardTexas.com
Handbook of Texas Online article #1 || Handbook of Texas Online article #2

Fort McKavett (State Historical Park)
(Friends of Fort McKavett)
(1852 - 1859, 1861 - 1862, 1868 - 1883), Fort McKavett
A Federal infantry post originally named Camp San Sabá (1) and then Camp McKavett. It was evacuated in 1859 for Camp Cooper, and was later used intermittently by Confederates (Texas Mounted Rifles and Texas Rangers) during the Civil War. Early in 1862 the post still confined a group of Federal troops from other surrendered U.S. forts who were seeking to leave the state at the start of the Civil War. Re-occupied and renamed by Federal troops in 1868 and became an important post during the Red River War (1874 - 75). Rebuilt with stone buildings by 1876. The post evolved into the town after it was abandoned by the Army, and the post's former hospital now serves as a visitor center. Several other former post buildings are now private residences. See also Handbook of Texas Online

Camp Grierson
(1878 - 1880), near Best
A fortified subpost of Fort Concho, located eight miles southwest of town at Grierson's Spring at the head of Live Oak Creek. Also known as Camp at Grierson's Spring. The post consisted of a large stone building, a guardhouse, stables, and corral. The Chichester Stage Line came through here.

Central Station
(1869), near Best
An Army picket post at the Overland stage station, located due north of Grierson's Spring.

Camp Rabb (1)
(1840), near Paint Rock ?
A Texas Ranger camp located on the Concho River. Exact location undetermined.

Fort Concho
(1867 - 1889), San Angelo
A Federal cavalry post that replaced Fort Chadburne, to guard various trails and roads from Indian attacks. Originally named Camp Hatch, it was then renamed Camp Kelly (1) before being renamed again in 1868. There are about two dozen original and reconstructed buildings. In 1930 the former headquarters building became the West Texas Museum, now the Fort Concho Museum. Operated by the city since 1935. Several buildings were restored in the 1950's. Admission fee. See also Handbook of Texas Online article #1 and Handbook of Texas Online article #2

Permanent Camp
(1867), near Tankersley
A subpost of Fort Chadbourne located on the Middle Concho River about 18 miles west of San Angelo. Abandoned for Fort Concho.

Camp Charlotte
(1868, 1879 - 1880), Irion County
A Federal infantry post located about 42 miles west of Fort Concho on the Middle Concho River, below Kiowa Creek, west of present-day TX 163. A stockade surrounded supply buildings, but not the Officers' quarters or guardhouse. A Butterfield Overland stage station was nearby. A post office was established here in 1885.

Post at the Head of the Concho River
(1869, 1880), Reagan County
An Army picket post located at the headwaters of the Middle Concho River.

Camp Joseph Johnston
(1852), near Water Valley
A temporary Federal infantry camp located on the south side of the North Concho River. Transferred to Fort Chadbourne.

Camp Concho
(1854, 1861), near Sterling City
Originally a Texas Ranger camp on the North Concho River, the site later became a temporary CSA Texas Mounted Rifles camp. This is probably the same site as Camp Elizabeth (see below). Also known as Camp at the Head of the North Concho River.

The Texas Mounted Rifles also established a fortified lookout post at Tower Hill in 1861, located about five miles southeast of town, about 10.7 miles southeast (straight-line) of the Camp Elizabeth site, and 0.85 mile due north of Foster Cemetery. Stone walls are still extant.

Camp Elizabeth
(1874 - 1886), near Sterling City
An outpost hospital for Fort Concho, located about nine miles northwest of town. Monument at site.

Camp Runnels
(1858), Runnels County
A Texas Ranger camp. Exact location undetermined.

Fort Chadbourne
(1852 - 1864, 1867, 1870), near Fort Chadbourne
A Federal infantry post built on the Butterfield Overland Mail route, on the east side of Oak Creek four miles northeast of town, 11 miles north of Bronte. It was originally called Camp on Oak Creek. Used by the Confederates during the Civil War (CSA Texas Mounted Rifles in 1861, Texas Rangers intermittently afterwards to 1864). Re-garrisoned in 1867, the troops were later transferred to Fort Concho due to water shortages. Used for about another year as a picket post for Fort Concho. Sandstone ruins still exist, and there are plans to restore the fort. Located on private property, but the owners allow drive-throughs with prior permission. A marker is located near an old cemetery south of US 277. See also Handbook of Texas Online

Camp Iverson
(1858), unknown location
Located somewhere near the Clear Fork of the Brazos River.

Fort Phantom Hill
(1847, 1851 - 1854, 1861, 1867, 1871 - 1872), Nugent
Its official name was Post on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. The "Phantom Hill" name came about sometime after the Civil War. It provided protection for the travel route to Sante Fe, NM, and the California gold fields. It was abandoned in 1854, then burned down. Desertions were frequent due to the monotony and loneliness. From 1858 to 1861 the site was used as a Butterfield Overland stage station. Briefly occupied in 1861 by the CSA Texas Mounted Rifles. Intermittently during the Civil War, Texas Rangers continued to provide protection from Indians. Later became a picket post of Fort Griffin (3). Three stone buildings remain; a commissary, guard house, and powder magazine, among other ruins. Site is on private property, but available for public visitation. See also Handbook of Texas Online

Fort Griffin (3) (State Historical Park)
(1867 - 1881), Fort Griffin
A Federal post to replace Fort Belknap. Originally called Camp Wilson (1) until 1868. Located one-half mile from the south bank of the Clear Fork Brazos River, about 25 miles north of Albany. Ruins, with three restored buildings. The ghost town ruins of Fort Griffin is also nearby. See also Handbook of Texas Online || GhostTowns.com

Camp Cooper
(1856 - 1861, 1871), near Throckmorton
A Federal cavalry post protecting the El Paso - Red River Trail. Located on the north bank of the Clear Fork Brazos River, five miles east of Otey's Creek, seven miles north of Fort Griffin (3). Turned over to Confederate troops in 1861 (Texas Mounted Rifles), but was not regarrisoned after the war. Briefly used as a campsite in 1871. Site is marked on private property.

Johnson's Station (2)
(1869), near Seminole ?
An Army picket post was garrisoned here at the Butterfield stage station.

Anderson's Fort
(1870's), Spur
A civilian trading post often used as a Federal cavalry supply camp (aka Gen. Ranald Mackenzie's Supply Camp (1871 - 1875).

Camp Bull Springs
(1878 - 1879), near Littlefield
Also known as Camp at Pine Springs (2).

Camp Resolution
(1841), near Flomot
Actually a series of four encampments of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition during three weeks in September 1841. Camp #1 was located five and one-half miles northwest of Flomot at the convergence of Los Lingos and Quitaqui Creeks. Camp #2 was located on the south bank of Quitaque Creek in Floyd County, one and one-half mile above Camp #1. Camp #3 was located one-half mile above Camp #2. Camp #4 was located three-fourths of a mile above Camp #3.

Post at Lone Tree Creek
(1869), Armstrong County ?
An Army picket post.

Fort Elliott
(1875 - 1890), Mobeetie
A Federal cavalry post, a subpost of Fort Sill, OK, originally named Cantonment on the North Fork of the Red River. It soon moved north to Sweetwater Creek and was renamed Cantonment on the Sweetwater. It was renamed again in 1876. The Buffalo Soldiers were posted here after 1879. Five barracks of wood-frame and adobe were built around a 450 by 650-foot parade ground. No remains, site is marked. The town was originally named Hidetown. See also GhostTowns.com

Cantonment
(1874), near Miami
No data.

Gen. Nelson Miles' Supply Camp
(1874), near Canadian
Located about 13 miles south of town.

Fort Adobe Walls (State Archaeological Landmark)
(1845 - 1848, 1874), near Stinnett
William Bent and Ceran St. Vrain operated a satellite trading post, called Bent's Fort, or Fort Adobe, located on the Canadian River at Bent's Creek. Bent blew up and burned the post in late 1848 when he was unable to deal any further with the hostile Comanche Indians, leaving only the adobe walls standing. Later, during the winter of 1849-50, independent trader Dick Wootton traded with the Comanche here for 12 wagon-loads of buffalo robes and other furs. In November 1864 Kit Carson led an attack on a nearby Kiowa village, and took refuge within the crumbling adobe walls during the "First Battle of Adobe Walls". This site is not publicly accessible, although there is a 1941 monument placed there by the Kiowa Tribe.

In June 1874 a stockaded camp and trading post for over two dozen civilian buffalo hunters and other traders was located about a mile and a quarter north of the original post, and was known as Fort Adobe Walls. It was under seige by Kiowas and Comanches during the "Second Battle of Adobe Walls". The 1874 battle site is marked with several markers and monuments, and is accessible to the public, located on Turkey Track Ranch. This site was excavated in the 1970's, and is maintained by the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society. See also Hutchinson County Historical Museum || Texas Escapes.com
GhostTowns.com

NEED MORE INFO: Undetermined locations: Camp Llano Estacado (1859) located somewhere south of the Canadian River and north of the Colorado River (possibly within New Mexico ?); Camp near California Spring (1854) on the El Paso Road, possibly on California Creek in Val Verde County (?); Camp Kiowa (1885) possibly at Kiowa Creek in Lipscomb County - OR - at Kiowa Peak in Stonewall County near old abandoned copper mines - OR - at Kiowa Creek in Irion County; Camp on Big Wichita (1855) (on Big Wichita River ?); Camp at Byron (1869); Camp at Wolf Canyon (1854); Camp on Rock Creek (date ?) on any one of a dozen Rock Creeks in the state; Detachment at Ross' Station (1860).
Towns:

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