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Fort Lancaster
Courtesy of Fort Lancaster
State Historic Site |
Located in the Pecos River Valley, the ruins of Fort Lancaster are a
vivid reminder of the 19th-century Texas frontier. Fort Lancaster was
one of a series of forts built for the protection of settlers passing
through Texas on the way to California. Constructed in 1855 in a rugged
territory of cliffs and ravines, Fort Lancaster became a United States
military post in 1856, but was abandoned by Federal troops when Texas
seceded from the Union. The fort became the site for bivouacs in 1867
and during the Kiowa and Comanche uprising in 1871, and was again abandoned
a few years later. The site includes the ruins of 29 buildings, a lime
kiln, and a cemetery.
Fort Lancaster State Historic Site is located eight miles east
of Sheffield on U.S. 290, 10 miles south of I-10. The Museum and Visitor
Center are open 8:00am to 5:00pm daily. There is a fee for admission.
For more information call 432-836-4391 or visit the fort's website.
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