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
April 29
"By the Book" Cartridge Making Class
Are you a reenactor using black powder firearms? Fort McKavett is hosting a class on how to authentically roll 58 and 69 caliber Springfield cartridges, as well as the 577 Enfield cartridge. These cartridges are made the same way the originals...
May 26
Texas Rangers at Fort McKavett
The Texas Rangers were active throughout West Texas in the mid-19th Century. In 1878, there was a shootout in between Rangers and discharged soldiers from Fort McKavett at a place called "Scabtown", located a mile north of the fort. Come see...
June 3
Nighttime Photography
Grab your cameras and come out to see the nighttime sky at McKavett! Please be on site by 4PM to fill out a waiver and familiarize yourselves with the grounds. For more information, contact Rhett Kearns at Rhett.Kearns@thc.texas.gov or at 325-396...
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. ...
