Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Fort

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, August 27, 2025

1. The Fort Marker

Inscription. Fort Worth was a military post established in 1849 to provide protection for both the American Indians and settlers living in the area, Fort Worth, like all U.S. Army posts at the time, was built around an open parade ground with a flagpole near the center. Major Arnold's headquarters were a tent and his command camped around him. On the north side of the parade ground, closest to the river, the soldiers built two barracks as living quarters out of logs. Behind the barracks stood cook houses and cabins for the laundresses. On the south side of the parade ground the soldiers built three sets of officer's quarters. On the west side of the parade ground the soldiers constructed a cabin that served as the post adjutant's office. A hospital stood next to the adjutant's office, On the east side, the men constructed stables, a guard house and storehouses.

Captions
(Photo #1) Depictions of the buildings that made up the Fort established in 1849. Illustration by William Potter.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 32° 45.528′ N,

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97° 20.234′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is on North Taylor Street 0.2 miles north of W Belknap Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Ripley Arnold plaza and statue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 777 N Taylor St, Fort Worth TX 76102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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: Ripley Allen Arnold (a few steps from this marker); Founding Fort Worth (a few steps from this marker); First School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fort Worth Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Steel's Tavern Oaks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paddock Viaduct (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tarrant County Criminal Courts Building

The marker is located around the Ripley Arnold Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, August 27, 2025

2. The marker is located around the Ripley Arnold Statue

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the First Masonic Hall in Fort Worth (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Also see . . . The History of Fort Worth: From Army Outpost to Urban Center. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Fort Worth began life literally as a U.S. Army outpost on the frontier running through Central Texas. Contrary to popular lore, it was never called “Camp Worth.” (That name belonged to the U.S. Army installation at San Antonio.) Fort Worth was the northernmost of a defensive line of posts constructed starting in late 1848 to separate Indians from White settlers. The posts were manned initially by members of the U.S. Second Dragoons regiment. Fort Worth was the fifth of eight forts to be constructed on that defensive line. In May 1849 Brig Gen. William S. Harney, temporarily commanding the Eighth Military Department following the cholera death of Maj. Gen. William Jenkins Worth, ordered Bvt. Maj. Ripley Arnold to take troops north from Fort Graham on the Brazos River and find a suitable site for an outpost on the upper Trinity.

(Submitted on October 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 26, 2025

3. The Fort Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on October 26, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.