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"Site
of Fort Gates" Centennial Marker
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2010 |
Historical
Marker (on Hwy 36 and Fort Gates St., Gatesville,
TX) TextFort
Gates In the mid-1800s,
Native tribes often met westward Anglo expansion in Texas with hostilities along
the frontier line. To shield settlers from potential attack, the U.S. Army established
a static line of outposts form the Rio Grande northward to the Red River. Few
early settlements existed in this vast, unprotected area created from the Milam
Land District (formerly Robertson’s Colony). After the Mexican-American War (1846-1848),
Fort Gates, the last of a cordon of stockaded fortifications across Texas
at the time, was established to defend area settlers. The U.S. Army erected the
post, named for Mexican-American War veteran Maj. Collinson Reed Gates of the
4th U.S. Infantry, about five miles southeast of present day Gatesville
on Oct. 26, 1849. Four companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry Regiment manned Fort
Gates’ 17 buildings. Very soon after the garrison was established, many of the
families in upper Milam County moved here. As a result, the post served as the
nucleus for the settlement of the surrounding area. The post ably performed in
lessening the threat of attacks from Native tribes. With its primary objective
accomplished, the U.S. Army transferred the garrison to Fort
Phantom Hill (Jones County) in March 1852 and officially closed Fort Gates
in February 1853. In 1853, O.T. Tyler, an early Fort Gates settler, began to organize
a county government. Settlers convened and signed a petition to the Texas House
of Representatives, and on February 4, 1854, Gov. Elisha M. Pease signed legislation
creating Coryell County. Fort
Gates served as the county seat until May 27, 1854, when the county clerk
transferred archives to Gatesville,
the new seat of government.
(2006) |
Centennial
Marker TextSite
of Fort Gates First
settlement in Coryell County. Established by Brevet Colonel W. R. Montgomery,
8th U.S.Infantry October 26, 1849, on the military post road between Austin and
Fort Graham as a protection of the frontier against hostile Indians. Named in
honor of Collinson R. Gates, gallant officer in the Mexican War. Abandoned in
March 1852, as the frontier line had advanced further westward. Used as a place
of defense by settlers during Indian raids. First county seat of Coryell County,
February 4 - May 27, 1854 when Gatesville was established.
1936 |
See Fort
Gates, Texas
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic,
endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local
history, stories, and vintage/historic photos of their town/subject, please
contact us. |
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