The Medallion, Volume 47, Number 5-6, May/June 2010 Page: 18
19 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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WOOL. , :-Described in 1871 as the prettiest
post in Texas by General William
T. Sherman, Fort McKavett State
Historic Site continues to captivate
visitors with a grand landscape of
well-established oak trees, pooling
springs and one of the best-
preserved frontier forts in Texas. The
property's 19 restored buildings offer
interpretive exhibits highlighting the
history of the site, and a quarter-mile,
self-guided nature trail features a lime
kiln, rock quarry and spectacular Hill
Country vistas.
Established in 1852 as part of a
line of forts tasked with protecting
the upper San Antonio-El Paso
road, the garrison of 350 to 500
men consisted of half a regiment
of infantry and a minimum of
two mounted companies (either
dragoon or mounted infantry in the
antebellum years or cavalry, post-
bellum). For a six-month period
during the Civil War, Fort McKavett
acted as a prisoner of war camp and
housed the Federal soldiers that
attempted to evacuate the state prior
to the outbreak of hostilities.
"During the years following
the Civil War, elements of all four
regiments of Buffalo Soldiers were
stationed on post," explains Brett
Cruse, sites supervisor with the Texas
Historical Commission's (THC)
Historic Sites Division. "Throughout
its existence as a military installation,
Fort McKavett acted as a supply sub-
depot for redistribution of supplies
TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION706 FM84,FrtM aetT
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Opndal a -5pmsent from the San Antonio military
stores. It was also a testing ground for
new weaponry and equipment."
Offering more than just rich
military history, Fort McKavett also
boasts a diverse cultural heritage
detailed in its programming and
outreach efforts. The annual West
Texas Heritage Days celebration
in March includes living history
demonstrations depicting the
frontier experiences of soldiers,
families, Native Americans and
Buffalo Soldiers.
Women played a vital role at
the fort by supporting the military
and promoting conventional
community activities such as dances
and plays, which contributed to
fewer disciplinary problems amongst
soldiers. The resilient spirit and
strength of these frontier women is
attributed to their abilities to provide
a sense of domestic stability while
struggling with harsh environmental
conditions and a lack of resources.7l The pioneer courage and resolve
is part of the fort's mystique and
the wholesome experience it offers
adults and children. Last summer,
multicultural students participated in
the Old Stories, New Voices program,
providing educational experiences via
a wagon train, heritage hike and drill
ceremony. Fort McKavett continues
to present varied education programs,
including the recent trail ride and hike
hosted by the Texas Equestrian Trail
Ride Association.
This year's schedule of events at
Fort McKavett continues to expand
its far-reaching appeal. May 16 will
mark the second annual Historic Sites
Free Day, where visitors will enjoy
complimentary entry, reenactors in
period costume, refreshments and
wildflowers abloom. An October 9
Fall Star Party capitalizes on the fort's
secluded location, allowing observers
to experience the full effect of the
wide night sky with its big and
bright stars. *
This article was written by Sarah Tober of the
THC's Marketing Communications Division.www.thc.state.tx.us
p.
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Texas Historical Commission. The Medallion, Volume 47, Number 5-6, May/June 2010, periodical, May 2010; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth309001/m1/18/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.