Fort Belknap was established in 1851 as the northwestern anchor as the second line of defense for Texas settlers. Come visit and watch history come alive!
Fort Belknap was the northern anchor of a chain of forts founded to protect the Texas frontier from the Red River to the Rio Grande. It was a post without defensive works. From it troops pursued raiding bands of Indians, and on occasion mounted expeditions from the fort carried the war to the enemy on the plains as far north as Kansas. The fort gave confidence to citizens, who came in such numbers that surrounding counties were organized. Fort Belknap became the hub of a network of roads stretching in every direction; the most notable of these was the Butterfield Overland Mail route from St. Louis to San Francisco.
Period uniforms, Historical artifacts from 1851-1859 during the Fort's existence, artifacts donated by citizens of Young County since the 1930s.
Texas history & government; frontier & Indian History; 19th century military; frontier biography, genealogy, archaeology
Living History events noted on Facebook site.
Fort Belknap is owned by Young County, Texas and is overseen by the County Judge and the County Commissioner's Court. There is a full-time caretaker on the grounds.