Near Brackettville in Kinney County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Commanding Officer's Quarters

Photographed by William F Haenn, May 18, 2012

1. Commanding Officer's Quarters Marker

Inscription. Fort Clark was established as a U.S. Army garrison in June 1852. Nine structures designed by U.S. Army engineers were built in 1873-1874 to house the fort's officers. This house served the fort's commanding officers, including Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie and Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright. Architectural features include a central entry, wood-frame porch, six-over-six windows, second floor dormers, and four large chimneys with sculpted caps. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1963

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. It 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.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Hill Country.

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 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

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 16, 2023

2. Commanding Officer's Quarters Marker

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

Fort Clark's Commanding Officer's Quarters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William F Haenn, July 20, 2011

3. Fort Clark's Commanding Officer's Quarters

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.

19th century historic view with Commanding Officer's Quarters in the foreground image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Old Guardhouse Museum, circa 1890s

4. 19th century historic view with Commanding Officer's Quarters in the foreground

Commanding Officer's Quarters Postcards image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Various- Lippe Studios, Warren Studios, Carl Ekmark, circa 1930s/1950

5. Commanding Officer's Quarters Postcards

The Commanding Officer's Quarters was always a popular subject for picture postcards.

General Wainwright's Quarters Picture Postcard image. Click for full size.

1940

6. General Wainwright's Quarters Picture Postcard

Commanding Officer's Quarters Plan image. Click for full size.

National Archives, circa 1872

7. Commanding Officer's Quarters Plan

Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs recommended Model Plan No4 for Commanding Officer’s quarters to the Secretary of War in 1872. These model plans were modified or even ignored at many western posts, but at Fort Clark they were followed in every detail by the post commander, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie, 4th Cavalry.

Historic view of Fort Clark's Commanding Officer's Quarters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Carl Ekmark, circa 1930s

8. Historic view of Fort Clark's Commanding Officer's Quarters

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 1,820 times since then and 49 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.