Near Sheffield in Crockett County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Welcome to Fort Lancaster

An oasis for travelers, an outpost in the wilderness

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, June 16, 2026

1. Welcome to Fort Lancaster Marker

Inscription.
Spanning 82 acres in the Pecos River valley, Fort Lancaster State Historic Site commemorates the vestiges of a post established in 1855 to protect the military route between San Antonio and El Paso. Visitors wander through ruins imagining the once-impressive establishment of 25 permanent buildings — including a blacksmith shop, hospital, sutler’s store and bakery.

Map Key
① Commanding Officer’s Quarters ② Officer’s Quarters ③ Cemetery ④ Hospital ⑤ Sutler ⑥ Commissary ⑦ Barracks, Company K ⑧ Barracks, Company H ⑨ Kitchen/Mess Hall ⑩ Bakery ⑪ Laundresses’ Quarters ⑫ Quartermaster/Corral ⑬ Carpenter ⑭ Blacksmith ⑮ Lime Kiln ⑯ Latrines ⑰ Guardhouse

Illustration: Howell Golson

Erected by Fort Lancaster State Historic Site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 30° 39.965′ N, 101° 41.763′ W. Marker is near Sheffield, Texas, in Crockett County. It is on Fort Lancaster Road half a mile north of U.S. 290. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 629 Fort Lancaster Road, Sheffield TX 79781, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ruins of Fort Lancaster (here, next to this marker); Commanding Officer's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Company H Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitchen and Mess Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Officer's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Bakery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Laundresses (about 300 feet away); Battle at Fort Lancaster (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheffield.

More about this marker. The ruins of the fort and the markers are located on the grounds of the Fort Lancaster State Historic Site which requires a small entrance fee to access.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 2, 2022

2. Welcome to Fort Lancaster Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, July 2, 2022

3. Welcome to Fort Lancaster Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.