Sandy Hollow-Escondidas in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Fort Lipantitlan
In 1728 a Spanish fort was built at this site near a Lipan Apache village with the Aztec name "Lipantitlan." The post was later abandoned, and the village was deserted after many Indians died with the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition at the Battle of Medina, Aug. 18, 1813.
Garrisoned again about 1831 by Mexican troops as a deterrent to further Anglo-American colonization, Fort Lipantitlan was then a simple earthen embankment surrounding unfinished barracks. In 1835 the soldiers borrowed a cannon from the settlers in nearby San Patricio, foreshadowing a similar incident at Gonzales which led to the skirmish of Oct. 2, 1835, and sparked the Texas Revolution. Late in Oct. 1835, Capt. Philip Dimitt, commander of Texas forces at Goliad, dispatched a company under Ira Westover to take Fort Lipantitlan. Westover captured the fortification on Nov. 3 and the next day stopped a Mexican counterattack led by Capt. Nicolas Rodriguez. Although not decisive, the battle boosted the Texans' morale.
On June 7, 1842, Fort Lipantitlan was successfully defended by an army of volunteers under Gen. James Davis against an attack by Gen. Antonio Canales and his "Republic of the Rio Grande" forces. After that battle, the post was abandoned and soon crumbled into ruin.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18022.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical year for this entry is 1728.
Location. 27° 58.021′ N, 97° 49.996′ W. Marker is in Sandy Hollow-Escondidas, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is on County Road 58. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Co Rd 58, Sandia TX 78383, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Fort Lipantitlan (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fort Lipantitlan (approx. 0.9 miles away); Old Dougherty House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Josepha Rodriguez (approx. 3.8 miles away); Battle of San Patricio (approx. 3.8 miles away); San Patricio de Hibernia (approx. 3.8 miles away); San Patricio County (approx. 3.8 miles away); Saint Patrick's Catholic Church (approx. 3.8 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.