Surfside Beach in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos
Photographed by Chris Kneupper
1. Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos Marker
An entire complex of forts, emplacements, bridges and roads was built near this spot in 1863.
Originally, a small redoubt was built in 1861-1862 mounting two 18-pound cannons. This fort was also referred to as Fort Velasco, according to an early map, showing also pilings across the mouth, and a similar early fort on the Quintana side. When the Union blockaded the Mississippi River and restricted maritime commerce, the Brazos River became more important. Therefore, a larger complex was built.
The 1863 fort at old Velasco (marked as B in this diagram) was also known as Fort Velasco as shown in its own diagram, but was also called Fort Sulakowski in other records. All of these were part of a chain of forts from Sabine Pass to Brownsville.
Erected 2024 by Old Fort Velasco Historical Association and Old Velasco/Surfside Beach Historical Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 28° 56.458′ N, 95° 17.982′ W. Marker is in Surfside Beach, Texas, in Brazoria County. It can be reached from the intersection of Parkview Road and Fort Velasco Drive, on the right when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Republic of Texas Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837 (within shouting distance of this marker); The San Felipe Incident (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Site of the Republic of Texas (about 400 feet away); Battle of Velasco Memorial (about 400 feet away); Old Velasco, CSA (about 400 feet away); Brown-Hoskins Hotel and Tavern (about 400 feet away); Velasco (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surfside Beach.
More about this marker. This marker is one of a set of six historical trail signs installed along a jetty-side hiking trail in Feb-Mar 2024 at the site of Old Velasco at the old mouth of the Brazos River, as near as possible to the actual location featured in the sign.
Regarding Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos. This location is significant since it is atop a mound that is the remains of a large five-gun Civil War fort that once existed at Velasco, which was part of a much larger complex of forts which protected the mouth of the Brazos River during
Photographed by Chris Kneupper, 19Mar/2024
2. Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos Marker
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Forts (1861-1865) - at the mouth of the Brazos River. (Submitted on March 26, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)
2. Velasco Reclamation Work - Parrott Shell. A small article by James L. Smith from the Aug-1992 newsletter of the Brazosport Archaeological Society, concerning a 20# Parrott shell found at Old Velasco, and then restored, along with information on Civil War activities there. (Submitted on May 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)
Photographed by Chris Kneupper, circa 2023
3. Closeup of Text and Images on Sign
Courtesy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 8, 2006
4. Engineering Diagram of 1863 Fort Velasco
Produced with Photoshop amendments to a heavily-stained digital image found at the Gilmer Civil War Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
courtesy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 9, 2006
5. Map Showing Locations of Works at the Mouth of the Brazos River, Circa 1864
Digital image from the Gilmer Civil War Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Courtesy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, May 3, 2006
6. Redan on Oyster Creek
This redan is an unoccupied emplacement to defend access to Velasco via Oyster Creek (which emptied into the Gulf at this time); troops could be dispatched there as needed. Item E on diagram below.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 4. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 5, 6. submitted on March 26, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
