Fort McKavett State Historic Site

Fort McKavett State Historic Site, operated by the Texas Historical Commission, was established in 1852 to protect West Texas settlers and serve as a rest stop for California-bound immigrants. In 1859, Fort McKavett was abandoned due to a decline in warfare with Native Americans as a result of the establishment of reservations in Texas and immigrants using a more southerly route to California.

 

The post was occupied briefly during the Civil War and served as a temporary prisoner-of-war camp until being abandoned by the Texans in April 1862. In 1868, the Army reopened Fort McKavett as a military post when hostilities between local Comanche Indians and the settlers increased after the Civil War. From 1868 to 1883, Fort McKavett served as a major supply depot providing food and provisions for most of the military campaigns, scientific and mapping explorations and other forts in West Texas.