Near Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Box's Fort

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 2, 2025

1. Box's Fort Marker

Inscription. John M. and Sally Box, along with John's brother Stephen F. and his wife Keziah Box and their families, came to Texas from Alabama in 1834. John and Sally's son, Roland W. Box, and his wife Mary Hallmark Box purchased 1/3 of the Stephen Burnham land grant and built a log fort on a hill near its northern boundary. Within the enclosure they built a log house and a dugout, and Box's Fort became the center of a settlement as the extended Box families made their own homes in and near the fort. John A., Stillwell, Thomas G., and Nelson Box and their cousins Samuel C. and James E. Box fought in the Texas Revolution. The home of John A. and Letty T. Box was a post office called Box's Creek from 1851 to 1866. Over time, several churches and stores operated in the vicinity, but by 1900 Box's Fort no longer appeared on area maps.

Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11796.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 31° 38.22′ N, 95° 14.088′ W. Marker is near Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on State Highway 294 0.6 miles west of County Road 2923, on the left when

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traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10002 TX-294, Alto TX 75925, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Fastrill (approx. 2.4 miles away); Landrum Community (approx. 3.4 miles away); Lynches Chapel United Methodist Church and Cemetery (approx. 3.4 miles away); Wilson Cemetery (approx. 4.9 miles away); Weeping Mary Community (approx. 5.3 miles away); Travel Encounters (approx. 5½ miles away); A Welcome Rest (approx. 5.6 miles away); El Camino Real de los Tejas (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 2, 2025

2. Box's Fort Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.