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

Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

1. Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post Marker

Inscription. Emigrants from Europe and the Eastern United States continued to settle in Texas after it became the twenty-eighth state in 1845. Eager to establish farms and towns, they moved into areas inhabited by Indian tribes, often provoking hostility and violence from the natives. The United States Army built forts to pacify the frontier and protect new communities. In the 1840s, a line of forts was constructed along the Texas frontier stretching south and west from Fort Worth to Fort Duncan at Eagle Pass on the Rio Grande River. Near Fredericksburg, the Army established Fort Martin Scott in December, 1848, the fifth post built in Texas.

The forts along the expanding frontier in Texas were meant to be temporary and Fort Martin Scott was no exception. For years the soldiers provided security for travelers as Fredericksburg was the last stop for supplies between San Antonio and El Paso. By 1853, the line of settlement had extended farther west, and the Army only needed a few soldiers at the fort to maintain it as a supply depot. By the end of the year, the Army decommissioned and abandoned the fort. In the five years between 1848 and 1853, the fort and its inhabitants made a significant impact on the social and economic life of Fredericksburg and the region.

Captions
Site drawing based on a military inspection

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conducted at Fort Martin Scott August 13, 1853
Site drawing of Fort Martin Scott; by G. Galle

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Immigration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 1853.

Location. 30° 14.916′ N, 98° 50.745′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 290) south of Industrial Loop. Marker is located within the Fort Martin Scott parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1618 E Main St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in 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: The Natural Setting (a few steps from this marker); Peace with the Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Dragoons (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zodiac Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Pinta Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Braeutigam Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Martin Scott Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . From a Former Army Base to Texas Historical Site. Fort Martin Scott Organization

Between
Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

2. Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post Marker
1870 and 1959, the Braeutigam folks bought the former army installation. Johabb Wolfgang Braeutigam had moved from the Kaltenlengsfeld district of Germany, with his folks, and advanced toward Indianola in 1845. He and his significant other chose to settle in Fredericksburg with their 9 youngsters. In 1870, the Braeutigam moved into the former army base, after soldiers deserted it and utilized it as a farm. On 3rd September 1884, Johann Braeutigam was murdered in a theft involving 4 individuals who were after Biergarten’s cash box. The Braeutigam family later sold the property to Fredericksburg City.

Some of the remarkable highlights of the former army base include: the quarters for the post commander which previously acted as the Braeutigam garden, 6 structures of troops’ houses, sutler’s warehouse and store, pastry kitchen with a stove, laundry, emergency military clinic, 3 sets of battalions for enlisted troops, quartermaster’s warehouse, a blacksmith store, and shed-fused stable. The watch house is presently the station’s only surviving structure after it was restored to mirror its underlying design of cut limestone, during the beginning of the 1900s.

(Submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the flagpole at Fort Martin Scott image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

3. The view of the flagpole at Fort Martin Scott

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.