Hillcrest Circle in Richmond in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Old Fort

Photographed By James Hulse, October 24, 2023

1. The Old Fort Marker

The marker is poor condition.

Inscription. Fort Bend was built in a large bend of the Brazos River approximately 450 yards northwest of this location. River erosion eradicated the fort's original site.

Erected by Fort Bend County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 29° 34.696′ N, 95° 45.191′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Texas, in Fort Bend County. It is in Hillcrest Circle. Marker is on Eugene Heimann Circle, 0.1 miles east of Richmond Parkway. The marker is located in the northwestern section of the Mirabeau B. Lamar Homestead Park and Archaeological Reserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond TX 77469, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Bend County (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Fort Bend (about 600 feet away); Fort Bend (about 600 feet away); Mirabeau B. Lamar (about 600 feet away); Pioneer Artifacts (about 700 feet away); Agriculture (about 700 feet away); Lamar's Last Years in Richmond (about 800 feet away); The Lamar Slaves (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Fort Bend. Texas State Historical Association

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Fort Bend was a blockhouse built in a large bend of the Brazos River in what is now Fort Bend County to provide protection against Indian raids. It was erected in November 1822 by several members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, including William W. Little and Joseph Polley, and is described as a "little log shanty." The location was reportedly selected by Austin, and a settlement soon grew up around the post. As the site provided one of the more favorable fords of the Brazos River, it became important during the Texas Revolution. The Fort Bend crossing was briefly defended in April 1836 by a rear guard detachment led by Wyly Martin. After Martin was maneuvered out of the position Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna transported a portion of his Mexican army across the Brazos at the crossing. After Santa Anna's defeat at the battle of San Jacinto the site was used briefly by the Texas army. Troops under Thomas Jefferson Green, who were in pursuit of retreating Mexican forces led by Gen. Vicente Filisola, halted for a short time in mid-May 1836 at Fort Bend. Because Fort Bend had been the center of activity in the area its name was given to the county when it was established in 1837. The next year nearby Richmond was selected as the county seat and soon absorbed the smaller Fort Bend settlement. In 1936 the Texas Centennial Commission erected a monument to
Photographed By James Hulse, October 24, 2023

2. The Old Fort Marker along the pathway
commemorate Fort Bend's role in the Texas Revolution.

(Submitted on October 31, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.