Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Brown

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Fort Brown Marker

Inscription. Oldest permanent fort in Texas
called Fort Taylor in March, 1846
Later renamed in honor of
Major Jacob Brown
killed here in May, 1846
Permanent post established, 1849
Evacuated by Federal troops in
1861; by Confederates, 1863
Reoccupied by United States troops
from 1865 to 1906
again reoccupied by
United States troops in 1913

Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 1963.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1846.

Location. 25° 53.976′ N, 97° 29.678′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of International Boulevard and West University Blvd, on the left when traveling west on International Boulevard. The marker is located in front of the Jacob Brown Auditorium on the campus of Texas Southmost College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 International Blvd, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bagdad-Matamoros, C.S.A. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Brown Reservation

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 700 feet away); Launching Site of First U.S. Army Warplane (about 700 feet away); Home of Charles Stillman (about 700 feet away); Stillman House (about 700 feet away); Stillman House Museum (about 700 feet away); Stillman House / Residencia Stillman (about 800 feet away); Dedicated to the Memory of William Crawford Gorgas (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

More about this marker. The historic Fort Brown buildings are located around the campus of the Texas Southmost College.

Also see . . . Fort Brown. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Fort Brown, originally called Fort Texas, was established when Zachary Taylor and the United States forces of occupation arrived on the Rio Grande on March 26, 1846, to establish the river as the southern boundary of Texas. In April 1846 Taylor built an earthen fort of 800 yards perimeter, with six bastions, walls more than nine feet high, a parapet of fifteen feet, and the whole surrounded by a ditch fifteen feet deep and twenty feet
Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. Fort Brown Marker
wide. Armament was four eighteen-pound guns. The Seventh Infantry, with Company I of the Second Artillery and Company E, Third Artillery, commanded by Maj. Jacob Brown, garrisoned the fort. Mexican troops led by Mariano Arista intercepted United States troops as they brought supplies from Fort Polk at Point Isabel to Fort Brown, leading to the opening battles of the war, Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, fought on May 8 and 9, 1846. On May 9 Major Brown died from injuries received during the bombardment of the fort by Mexican forces in Matamoros. Shortly after his death he was buried within the fortifications, and the post was named in his honor.

(Submitted on May 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Fort Brown Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The view of the Fort Brown Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.