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

Fort San Jacinto

Photographed by Gary Estep, December 31, 2025

1. Fort San Jacinto Marker

Inscription. The northeastern tip of Galveston Island has seen defense fortifications since the early 1800's. Crude Spanish and French forts (1816-1818) gave way to small sand forts and batteries constructed by the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1844. In 1863 the Confederate Army built sandbag breastworks and an earthen battery named Fort Point. All traces of these early fortifications were destroyed by the strong winds and tides which regularly reshaped the sandy tip of the island. A more substantial fortification call Fort San Jacinto was built here by the U.S. Army in 1897. After the fort was destroyed in the 1900 storm, the Galveston seawall was extended northward in 1921 to protect the area. The fort was rebuilt and new gun emplacements were added for the defense of Galveston during World War II. The round, concrete base of one of these 90-mm gun emplacements remains here today. For San Jacinto was decommissioned in 1959.

Erected by US Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Texas Independence • War, US Civil • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 29° 20.106′ N, 94° 45.155′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas

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, in Galveston County. It is at the intersection of Seawall Boulevard and Boddecker Drive, on the left when traveling east on Seawall Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Galveston Island (approx. 1.3 miles away); Galveston: Gateway to Texas (approx. 1½ miles away); SS Selma (approx. 1½ miles away); Galveston Quarantine Stations (approx. 1½ miles away); U.S.S. Seawolf Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Fort Travis (approx. 2.2 miles away); Galveston Medical College (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Mary's Hospital (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Galveston, C. S. A. (was approx. 1.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 1, 2014

2. Fort San Jacinto Marker

View of marker looking out over Galveston Bay. Notice Port Bolivar lighthouse visible across bay.

Fort San Jacinto Informational Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 1, 2014

3. Fort San Jacinto Informational Sign

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 1, 2014

4. Fort San Jacinto Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,761 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2025, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.