The Texas Forts Trail Region is comprised of 29 counties in central West Texas. The Trail is a recommended driving route within the region that highlights eight historic frontier forts and one Spanish presidio. In addition to the forts and presidio highlighted individually on this web site under the "Attractions" area, other frontier fort sites or forts of interest in Texas include:
Fort Croghan
Fort Croghan was the third of the first four forts established by the U.S. government in the first quarter of 1849 to protect settlements from hostile Indians. Fort Croghan Grounds and Museum are operated by the Burnet County Historical Commission and the Burnet County Heritage Society. It is located in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.
Fort Davis Historic Site
Established by the U.S. Army in 1854, this historic site is one of the best examples of a restored frontier fort in the country. Fort Davis is located in the Texas Mountain Trail Region.
Fort Hood
The 1st Cavalry Division Museum exhibits include an antecedent period gallery which traces the beginnings of the horse soldier regiments to the formation of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1921. Subsequent galleries bring history from past to present; exhibits tell the story of the major role played by the "First Team" in national and world events. Fort Hood is at Killeen which is in the Texas Brazos Trail Region.
Fort Lancaster State Historic Site
Fort Lancaster was one of four posts established in 1855 to protect the military route between San Antonio and El Paso from Indians. It is located in the Texas Pecos Trail Region.
Fort Leaton
At various times Fort Leaton was called Old Fortin, El Fortin, and Fortin. Known as the largest adobe structure in Texas, it was probably constructed in the 1830s. Ben Leaton, a Chihuahua Trail freighter established Fort Leaton as his home, trading post, and private fort. Fort Leaton State Historic Site is located in the Texas Mountain Trail Region.
Fort Martin Scott
Fort Martin Scott was an active U.S. Army outpost from 1848 to 1853. In those five years, the Fort made a significant impact on the social and economic life of Fredericksburg and the surrounding area. Fort Martin Scott is located in the Texas Hill Country Trail Region.
Fort Parker
Old Fort Parker is a reconstructed fort that pays tribute to the Parker family and other pioneers who paid a high price to settle in Texas. It was the site of the abduction of Cynthia Ann Parker (mother of Quanah Parker) on May 19, 1836, by Comanche Indians. The park is managed by the City of Groesbeck and is located in the Texas Brazos Trail Region.
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam is the ninth oldest Army installation in the United States and has the largest collections of historic structures on any active U.S. military installation. Exhibits depict the history of the installation in chronological order from 1845. Fort Sam Houston is located in San Antonio, within the Texas Independence Trail Region.
Fort Stockton
Camp Stockton was established here in 1858 by troops of the 1st and 8th Infantry, US Army. The post protected travelers and settlers on the numerous roads and trails that made use of the abundant water supply of Comanche Springs. Fort Stockton is located within the Texas Pecos Trail Region.
Nineteenth-Century Forts and the Clash of Cultures on the Texas Frontier - includes authoritative text and a massive compilation of images, including rare photos of the forts and its people never seen before by the public. There are also standards-based lessons for teaching about the forts.