Fort Belknap

After visiting Lake Mineral Wells State Park (see previous post), Donna and I spent the night in nearby Weatherford. The next morning, we drove up to Winstar World Casino for a couple of days of gaming.

We left Winstar early Thursday to return home, but we would make a couple of stops along the way. The first stop was at Fort Belknap a few miles west of Graham, Texas. We had passed by this old military post years ago, probably in the late 1970's, but I had forgotten anything about it during the past 40 years or so.

Entrance to Fort Belknap

The post was established in 1851, and over the years would mainly serve as a supply post or base of operations. During the War Between the States, it was abandoned, and the Texas frontier retreated as a result during the war years. Following the war, it was reoccupied briefly, but was soon abandoned for good. During its existence, the fort served as a hub for numerous roads, and the Butterfield Overland Mail route ran through it.

I recently read a book by Cynthia Haselhoff, Kiowa Verdict. The book was a fictionalized account of the trial of Kiowa chiefs Satanta and Big Tree for a raid they led on a wagon train just east of Fort Belknap in 1871. The trial itself took place in nearby Jacksboro, the home of Fort Richardson at the time. This was the first time that native Americans were tried in a court of law for violence against white men. It was very unique and is quite an interesting story.

The fort itself is not that well preserved today. It is out of the way, located just south of Newcastle on a lesser used highway. I'm not sure what organization owns the fort, but it may be the county. I saw no evidence of state control or funding. Most of the buildings standing today were restored or rebuilt in the 20th century, as most of the original buildings were cannibalized by local residents for building materials a century or more ago.

There is a small museum in the old commissary building with some very interesting artifacts, some related to the fort and some not. The grounds are covered with beautiful old trees, and the place is pleasantly quiet and serene.

Museum is located in the old commissary.

Rattlesnake rattles on left, arrowheads on right. There were several arrowhead collections in the museum.

Donna viewing the display cases in the museum.

More of the artifacts in the museum.

Beautiful old trees with some of the restored buildings in the background.

One of the restored buildings.

Group of buildings near the front of the post.

Unusual grape arbor makes a nice, cool spot for gatherings on a hot summer day.

We enjoyed our visit to the old fort. The countryside is really nice, and the Brazos River runs just a few miles to the west.