Standing atop a windswept remote hill, the remains of a 150-year-old West Texas fort beckon curious visitors to the site that is now considered one of the best preserved and most intact examples of a Texas Indian Wars (1850–1875) military post. Take in the spectacular Hill Country vistas and experience the history of early West Texas life through the real stories of the infantrymen, Buffalo Soldiers, women, and children who lived at what Gen. William T. Sherman once described as "the prettiest post in Texas."
Restored structures include the officers’ quarters, barracks, hospital, school house, dead house, sink, and post headquarters. In addition, there are ruins of several buildings, most notably the commanding officer’s quarters, which burned in 1941, and the barracks along the north side of the parade ground, which once was the longest building west of the Mississippi River.
Upcoming Events
October 29
Archeology Day and Star Party
Join us for our annaul archeology day and star party! Our staff will show you how this active archeological site has transformed since its town days ended nearly fifty years ago. When the sun goes down, members from the Johnson Space Center...
December 17
Victorian Christmas Fair
Join us for a holiday celebration at Fort McKavett! We invite you into our historic structures to make Christmas decorations, decorate cookies, and sing carols. Saint Nicholas will also pay the fort a visit to take gift requests. Participants pay...
January 14
Company Tailor Workshop: Antebellum Uniforms
Join us for an interactive workshop where you will learn how to make a pre-1860s uniform! Participants who want to take home a uniform for use at our site, and other Texas historic sites, must purchase their cloth from an approved vendor and...
From the Blog
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2013 issue of The Medallion.
By Andy Rhodes, Managing Editor, The Medallion
Standing on a rocky bluff overlooking the panoramic oak-lined brim of the Edwards Plateau, it's easy to imagine Fort McKavett in 1852. The site has changed little in 160 years, but there's something beyond the physical landscape that conjures...
By Kevin Malcolm, Educator/Curator, Fort McKavett State Historic Site
From 1874–76, the U.S. Army spent $100,000 to construct a military telegraph line that connected all the frontier and border forts in Texas. This work was overseen by 1st Lt. Adolphus W. Greely. On October 19, Forts McKavett, Concho, and Griffin were connected to each other and the Signal Service Headquarters in...
By Kevin Malcolm, Educator/Curator, Fort McKavett State Historic Site
Fort McKavett State Historic Site came to life on March 17–19 with the presence of historical reenactors during the “Imprisoned on the Frontier 1862” reenactment. Participants from five states arrived at the site and immersed themselves into spring 1862 to recreate the historic Confederate Prisoner of War camp. ...
