Fort Concho: San Angelo (Tom Green Co.)
In front of Fort Concho Museum
Phone: 915-481-2646
Points of Interest
Twenty-three original and restored fort structures (National
Historic Landmark). Authentically refurbished exhibit buildings include
a restored headquarters, soldiers barracks, officer's quarters, chapel/school,
and post hospital. Exhibits tell the story of the fort, the Indian campaigns
and of San Angelo. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10–5, Sunday, 1–5.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Call the Chamber of Commerce
for the dates of Christmas at Fort Concho.
Four Living History Units: Fort Concho Infantry, Sixteenth Regiment,
Co. F, (ca. 1880); Fort Concho Cavalry, Fourth Regiment, Co. D, (ca.
1872); Fort Concho Buffalo Soldiers, Tenth Regiment, Co. D., (ca. 1878),
who also travel to perform in other communities.
Photo of the headquarters building that contains a military museum taken by Charles M. Robinson, III from the book, Frontier Forts of Texas.
Museum and bookstore
The center of a line of forts extending from the northeastern border
of Texas to El Paso. Was also northern point of southern chain of forts
extending to Rio Grande, thence along that river to its mouth. Established
1867 (at then junction of Butterfield Trail, Goodnight Trail and road
to San Antonio) by 4th Cavalry under Capt. George G. Huntt to protect
frontier.
By March 1, 1870, fort buildings were (in order of their construction)
a commissary and quartermaster storehouse, hospital, five officers'
quarters, a magazine and two barracks-all built of sandstone.
Among those who commanded the post were: Gen. Wm. R. Shafter (later
Major General of Volunteers, Spanish-American War and commanded troops
at capture of Santiago de Cuba, July 1898); Maj. John P. Hatch (at one
time fort was named in his honor); Gen. Wesley Merritt (first commander
of Fort Davis after Civil War; was later superintendent of U.S. Military
Academy at West Point); Gen. Ranald Slidell Mackenzie (who led attacks
from this and other forts, credited with defeat of Indian resistance
in Southwest); and Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, commander of Negro troops
of 10th Cavalry.
On June 20, 1889, fort was abandoned as a military post and property
passed into private ownership.
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