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

Fort Houston

(Site one-fourth mile south)

Photographed by QuesterMark

1. Fort Houston Marker

Inscription.
A stockade and blockhouse of the Republic of Texas. Built in 1835-1836 to protect settlers who founded Houston, a pioneer town, now in Anderson County.

Friendly Indians would come to trade at the site, but wary settlers often slept inside the 25-foot-square blockhouse, built of heavy logs. Trappers bought supplies there and men from Houston formed one of the first Ranger units in Texas. The fort defended a large area of the frontier, 1836-1839, but it was abandoned about 1841. The site later became part of home of John H. Reagan, Texas statesman.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8752.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 31° 44.374′ N, 95° 39.401′ W. Marker is in Palestine, Texas, in Anderson County. It is at the intersection of West Reagan Street and Knox Street, on the right when traveling east on West Reagan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 W Reagan St, Palestine TX 75801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Fort Houston (here, next to this marker); Site of Knox Glass Company Plant

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Westwood United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pilgrim Hill Baptist Church (approx. one mile away); Fort Houston Cemetery (approx. one mile away); N. A. Banks Elementary School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); South Union Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palestine.

More about this marker. This 1969 marker stands next to a 1936 stone marker.

Regarding Fort Houston. The John Reagan home is no longer at the site of the fort.

Fort Houston Marker next to the other Fort Houston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by QuesterMark, September 6, 2021

2. Fort Houston Marker next to the other Fort Houston Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2021, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 828 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2021, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.