Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Fort Colorado

(Also called Coleman’s Fort)

By Richard Denney, April 25, 2010

1. Site of Fort Colorado Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

June, 1836 - November, 1838.
Established and first commanded by
Colonel Robert M. Coleman.
Succeeded by Capt. Michael Andrews
And
Capt. William M. Eastland.

An extreme frontier outpost occupied by Texas Rangers to protect Anglo-American civilization from savage Indians in this vicinity.

Erected 1936 by the State of Texas. (Marker Number 14229.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles • Military • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list.

Location. Marker has been reported damaged. 30° 17.194′ N, 97° 40.453′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. Marker is on East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard west of Russet Hill Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin TX 78723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. First Colored Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bethany Cemetery

Marker Looking West image. Click for full size.

By Richard Denney, April 25, 2010

2. Marker Looking West

The marker sits off MLK Blvd with nowhere to pull off safely for viewing.

(approx. 0.8 miles away); Annie Webb Blanton (approx. 1.7 miles away); Josiah Pugh Wilbarger (approx. 1.9 miles away); Downs Field (approx. 2.2 miles away); Maud Anna Berry Smith Fuller (approx. 2.3 miles away); Henry G. Madison Cabin (approx. 2.6 miles away); Rosewood Park (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

More about this marker. Marker has been vandalized, the wreath removed. This has been reported to the THC.

Coleman Springs image. Click for full size.

By Richard Denney

3. Coleman Springs

Photo of Coleman Springs. Coleman Springs was utilized by the nearby fort. Gunnar Brune (Springs of Texas, Volume 1) states that soldiers from the fort used the water between 1836 and 1838, and was also a favorite Indian campground in earlier days.

By Richard Denney, December 27, 2020

4. Site of Fort Colorado Marker

The marker was vandalized in 2020, the wreath removed.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,275 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2020, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 3. submitted on November 28, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on December 27, 2020, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.