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

Fort Houston

Photographed by QuesterMark

1. Fort Houston Marker

Inscription.
A fort and stockade built about 1836 on the public square of the town of Houston (then in Houston County), as a protection against the Indians, by order of General Sam Houston, Commander-in-Chief of the Texan Armies. The town was abandoned in 1846 for Palestine, the new seat of Anderson County; the fort about 1841. The site is now a part of the historic home of John H. Reagan, which is called Fort Houston.

Erected 1936 by The State of Texas. (Marker Number 8753.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

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 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct

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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 1936 "gravestone" marker stands next to a 1969 post-mounted subject marker, also called Fort Houston.

Regarding Fort Houston. John Reagan's home, mentioned on the marker, is no longer there.

Fort Houston Marker with newer Fort Houston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by QuesterMark, September 6, 2021

2. Fort Houston Marker with newer Fort Houston Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 18, 2025

3. Fort Houston Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2021, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,474 times since then and 208 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. 3. submitted on October 21, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.