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

Hospital and Commissary

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

1. Hospital and Commissary Marker

Inscription. This large limestone foundation is all that remains of the most outstanding building built at Fort Inge, and one of the first large stone buildings built west of San Antonio. Constructed of limestone hauled to the site rather than of the black volcanic rocks from the hill. This building had an air of elegance and comfort in it's design, 60' long by 25' wide, it was surrounded by a porch (raised on small stone piers) on all four sides. The interior was divided into a large room and a small office by a double fireplace. The long wall down the center was a "joist wall" used to support a raised wooden floor. Although no records survive that give its date of construction and original purpose, a map made in 1853 shows a large building in this general location labeled a "hospital." An earlier log hospital had been built around 1851, so this may have been built to replace it. This structure was built by stone masons paid around $40 a month. The corners and edges were of dressed stone blocks and the walls were plastered smooth and painted white. Used for at least fifteen years, it likely served many purposes.

There was a gala

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Christmas dance held at the fort in 1861 when the Confederate troops were stationed here, and this would likely have been used for the dance as it was the largest building here at that time.

Maps made following the Civil War label it as a "commissary store house," meaning bulk food was stored here during the last years of occupation. Records show coffee, flour, sugar, rice, ham, pork, butter, beans, macaroni, hominy, as well as fresh meat and eggs were available at the fort in the 1850's.

After the army left in 1869, Texas Rangers used the site and, and if this building was still standing, occupied it also. An archeological excavation was done in 1981, and the walls were exposed. Later the foundations were capped and stabilized to protect them.

Erected by Fort Inge Historical Park and Susan & Tom Austin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 29° 10.758′ N, 99° 45.958′ W. Marker is in Uvalde, Texas, in Uvalde County. It can be reached from County Highway 375 half a mile south of Farm

The view of the Hospital and Commissary Marker with the foundation behind it image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

2. The view of the Hospital and Commissary Marker with the foundation behind it

to Market Road 140. The marker is located in the Fort Inge Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Uvalde TX 78801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country.

It is also in the American Borderlands.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Brush Arbor with Tents (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fort Inge (within shouting distance of this marker); Picket Quartermaster Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Drawing of Fort Inge from this point of view (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks for the Soldiers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nicolas Street School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial

Another view of the Hospital and Commissary Marker and foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

3. Another view of the Hospital and Commissary Marker and foundation

(approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Uvalde.

More about this marker. The marker is located in the Fort Inge Historical Park and it does require a small self-serve entry fee to visit. The park is only open on weekends.

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

Fort Inge (Camp Leona) is on the east bank of the Leona River a mile south of Uvalde in southern Uvalde County. The site is dominated by Mount Inge, a 140-foot volcanic plug of Uvalde phonolite basalt.

(Submitted on August 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The large hill behind the foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 12, 2023

4. The large hill behind the foundation

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.