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FORT
LINCOLN, TEXASGhost
Fort
Medina County
On Seco Creek
2 Mile N of D’Hanis
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The
fort, one of a string of eight that stretched from Eagle
Pass to the Red River, was named after Captain George Lincoln, who was killed
in action during the Mexican War.
Texas Ranger Chas. S. DeMontel camped
here with his men in 1948 and in July of the following year it was established
as a fort.
The location on the creek afforded a strategic view as well
as access to water.
The location was along the Woll Road, connecting San
Antonio with Fort Duncan in Eagle
Pass. The troops were stationed here to protect recently arrived settlers
and the commercial trade from Indian raids.
As it’s name implies, Seco
(Dry) Creek was seldom flowing. The fort’s main structures were made from limestone
while other buildings were constructed of logs with shingled or thatched roofs.
It housed around 100 troops with the highest number once reaching 141.
As
the protective line of forts moved to the west, Fort Lincoln was abandoned in
1852 although it was used on occasional by Texas Rangers.
Rock from the
buildings was cannibalized for residences in D’Hanis
and today only remnants of a structure is left of the fort. A 1936 Texas Centennial
Marker shown here marks the location.
2 miles NW on FM 1796 from D’Hanis,
left on CR 4204. |
 |
"Site
of Fort Lincoln" 1936 Texas Centennial Marker
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
Site
of Fort Lincoln
Established by the United States Army July 7, 1849 as a link in a chain of posts
extending from the Rio Grande to the Red River.
Named in honor of Captain
George Lincoln who fell at Buena Vista Feb. 23, 1847.
Abandoned July 20,
1852 after the frontier line had advanced further westard.
1936 |
Remains
of Fort Lincoln Officers' Quarter
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
"Some
time back, maybe in the 1910's, someone made an addition to the original fort
structure. The original is to the left of the vertical line. The bricks
shown have "D'HANIS" imprinted on them."
- Barclay
Gibson, August 2011 photo |
Entrance
to the original fort structure above
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
"Site
of Fort Lincoln" Centennial Marker
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
| Environs
& marker when it was erected in 1936 |
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. | | |
