Spanning 82 acres in the Pecos River valley, Fort Lancaster State Historic Site commemorates the vestiges of one of several posts established in the 1850s that played an important role in westward expansion by providing escorts for mail carriers, wagon trains, and settlers on the San Antonio–El Paso Road en route to California. Today, visitors wander through ruins imagining the once-impressive establishment of over 30 permanent buildings—including a blacksmith shop, hospital, sutler’s store, and bakery—and enjoy the sights, sounds, and wildlife of West Texas.
![clock icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-clock.png)
Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
![tickets icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-ticket.png)
Tickets
Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1
![calendar icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-cal.png)
Programs
School Tours
Group Tours
See the site
![Site educator giving a tour in the visitor center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=M4Dtxld4)
![Ruins on the grounds](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=xihDgLhS)
![Ruins with American flag in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_03.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=y9BmyOBn)
![Children with a camel laying down](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_04.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=hXLPNWWo)
![Ruins on the grounds](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_05.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=Fgjl_XnX)
![Reenactors on camels surveying the landscape](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_06.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=K73DENZg)
![Tents set up on the grounds during a living history event](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_07.jpg?h=b764bcb1&itok=F1fH_j_4)
![Reenactors standing in front of ruins](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_08.jpg?h=97799461&itok=7BU3Ir1d)
![Site educator giving a tour in the visitor center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=M4Dtxld4)
![Ruins on the grounds](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=xihDgLhS)
![Ruins with American flag in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_03.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=y9BmyOBn)
![Children with a camel laying down](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_04.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=hXLPNWWo)
![Ruins on the grounds](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_05.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=Fgjl_XnX)
![Reenactors on camels surveying the landscape](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_06.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=K73DENZg)
![Tents set up on the grounds during a living history event](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_07.jpg?h=b764bcb1&itok=F1fH_j_4)
![Reenactors standing in front of ruins](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_08.jpg?h=97799461&itok=7BU3Ir1d)
![Reenactors standing in front of ruins](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_08.jpg?h=97799461&itok=cU8UP7-B)
Plan Your Visit
At Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, visitors can tour the remnants of a 19th-century military fort that at one time had over 30 structures.
![Tents set up on the grounds during a living history event](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_07.jpg?h=b764bcb1&itok=xGw18uaD)
Fort Lancaster History
After the Mexican War (1846-1848), the U.S. Army was charged with the defense of settlements and with the protection of travelers through Western Texas.
![Ruins on the grounds](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Fort%20Lancaster_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=LKKRdcwO)
Support the Fort Lancaster Company
Fort Lancaster Company is a "Fiscally Sponsored Project" of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (a 501(C)(3) nonprofit charitable organization). Your gift will directly support this organization.
Fort Lancaster in the Blog
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
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