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History in
a Pecan Shell
Founded in late
June 1851, where the present-day town of Newcastle
stands, it was named after General William G. Belknap.
When the fort's commanding officer (Captain C. L. Stephenson) ordered
essential water wells to be dug, they gave up at 66 feet and moved
the fort to springs that were flowing alongside the relatively nearby
Brazos River.
Shelter was crude at first but stone buildings eventually were built.
The fort housed four companies of soldiers and was the northern-most
anchor in the chain that spread from the Rio Grande to the Red River.
The fort did not fit the standard image of a frontier fort since it
lacked defensive works such as walls, berms or trenches. No assault
was anticipated and the troops first order of business was to pursue
bands of Indians who preyed on local settlers.
The presence of the fort bolstered confidence with settlers who arrived
in such numbers that it necessitated the organization of several neighboring
counties. The fort was on The Butterfield Overland Stage Route, which
carried passengers and mail between St. Louis to San Francisco.
In anticipation of hostilities, all Federal troops were marched to
Fort Leavenwoth, Kansas and Gen. David E. Twiggs (in San Antonio)
surrendered all U.S. property to the Confederacy in February of 1861.
The remains of the abandoned fort were occasionally occupied by Texas
Frontier troops, after the war but it was abandoned permanently in
late 1867 with the establishment of Fort
Griffin - outside of Albany,
Texas (Shackleford
County).
In 1936 to celebrate the Texas
Centennial, some of the fort's buildings were rebuilt and in the
1970s one of the buildings has been home to the Fort Belknap Archives.
The former infantry barracks are now in use as a community center.
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Fort Belknap
Historic Landmarks
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Old Fort Belknap
Powder Magazine
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Old Fort Belknap
Powder Magazine plaque
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Original stone
houses in Fort Belknap
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Camp Belknap
Confederate Memorial
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Fort Belknap
Chronicles:
Fishing
Soldier by Mike Cox
When a wagon full of soldiers rolled out of old Fort Belknap early
one spring morning in 1867 flanked by horseback troopers, while doubtless
armed, they were not starting out on a scout for Indians... more
The Harrowing
Life and Times of Elizabeth Ann Bishop by Maggie Van Ostrand
One of the Texas frontier women who taught the wilderness to quit
howling and behave itself was Elizabeth Ann Bishop. Any time you might
be thinking you're having troubles, no matter if they're small or
very, very big, compare them to the trials and tribulations of Elizabeth
Ann. What she endured is testament to the strength of frontier women...
more |
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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