Gonzales in Gonzales County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Fort Waul on the Guadalupe River
Gonzales in the Civil War 1861-1865
Photographed by Dave W, February 7, 2026
1. Fort Waul on the Guadalupe River Marker
"Fort Waul is the only known earthen embankment fort of its type built and authorized by the Confederate States of America west of the Mississippi River." (Fort Waul: Dorcas Huff Baumgartner, Gonzales Co. Historian)
The Fort Waul historic site is located on Waldrip Hill, a high, wide hill on the northern edge of Gonzales, Gonzales, County. The fort I was commissioned as a supply depot and a defensive post for the Confederate Army in the Western Subdistrict of Texas. Led by Colonel Albert Miller Lea, construction began in December, 1863 and continued into 1864, but as the threat of a Union invasion of Texas declined, so did the defensive need of the Gonzales post and its importance as a central supply depot. Construction had ceased by November of 1864.
In the late 1870s the site was named "Fort Waul", in honor of Confederate General Thomas N. Waul of Gonzales. (Source: Fort Waul, by James B. McCrain: author, Texas State Historical Association: tshaonline.com)
Erected by 1885 Gonzales County Jail Museum / Gonzales County Archives.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1864.
Location. 29° 30.135′ N, 97° 27.141′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gonzales Military Contributions to the CSA (here, next to this marker); Confederate Monument, Independence Square (here, next to this marker); 1851 College Survives the Civil War (here, next to this marker); Women of the Confederacy (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Jail Square (a few steps from this marker); From Segregation to Integration (a few steps from this marker); Segregation in Gonzales: Edwards High School (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gonzales.
Photographed by Dave W, February 7, 2026
2. Fort Waul on the Guadalupe River Marker
Marker is third from left.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
