Near Brackettville in Kinney County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Commanding Officer's Quarters
Erected 1963 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1001.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military.
Location. 29° 18.235′ N, 100° 25.405′ W. Marker is near Brackettville, Texas, in Kinney County. Marker is on Colony Row, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on Fort Clark Springs in the Fort Clark National Register Historic District and is accessible to the public. The subject of the marker is a private residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Colony Row, Brackettville TX 78832, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Staff Officers' Quarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Adjutant's Quarters (Quarters #20) (about 400 feet away); U.S. Army Signal Corps Building (about 500 feet away); 1873 Infantry Barracks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Officers' Row Quarters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Remolino Raid (approx. 0.2 miles away); Married Officers' Quarters 8-9 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Clark Post Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brackettville.
Regarding Commanding Officer's Quarters. The Commanding Officer’s Quarters was built by the United States Army in 1873 of local limestone and is a contributing structure to the National Register Historic District of Fort Clark. Today, the property continues to fulfill its original intended purpose of family housing. This imposing residence is an enduring element of the landscape of Fort Clark and still commands the parade ground today as the home’s notable occupants did in years past.
It remains an Army tradition to name the prominent quarters on each post in honor of the highest ranking officer to have resided within its walls. As a result several posts have a Pershing House. However, only one post has a Wainwright House. These quarters were first occupied by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, who as a bachelor and workaholic no doubt had little use for its seven bedrooms. Another well-known occupant of the 1870s was William R. “Pecos Bill” Shafter. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century the senior officer of the post, usually a Colonel commanding a regiment, called these quarters home. It was indeed a privilege for junior officers such as Lieutenant Francis H. French of the 19th Infantry to be invited to dine with the Colonel and his lady in the grandest quarters on the post.
In 1922 the quarters were designated for the Commanding Officer of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, a brigadier general. It was in that assignment that Jonathan Wainwright occupied the quarters from December 1938 until September 1940. Major General Harry H. Johnson, first cousin of Lyndon Baines Johnson, commanding the 2nd Cavalry Division lived here 1943-44. Not to be outdone by famous military men, John Wayne selected the home as his residence during the filming of his epic The Alamo in 1959.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. This page has been viewed 1,053 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on October 17, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on May 18, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. 2. submitted on October 17, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. 5, 6. submitted on March 25, 2023, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. 7, 8. submitted on May 18, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.