The bakery was a stone and adobe building with a large oven that measured approximately 12 feet wide and 11-feet deep. The fort's baker, also a soldier, was responsible for providing the daily ration of bread for an average of 130 men. In 1860, . . . — — Map (db m202174) HM
On December 26, 1867, the 40 soldiers and officers of Company K, 9th Cavalry, were attacked at Fort Lancaster by an estimated 400 Kickapoo and their allies. The battle began when the teamster leading the horses to water, William Sharpe, was lassoed, . . . — — Map (db m201737) HM
The largest residence at the fort housed the Commanding Officer and his family. They provided hospitality for important travelers to the fort.
"Captain Carpenter invited us to take a bite with him. We availed ourselves of the invitation with . . . — — Map (db m201707) HM
The commissary, along with the quartermaster storehouse, was one of the first stone buildings constructed at Fort Lancaster. It supplied soldiers with government-issued provisions, uniforms, and bedding. Provisions were bought from private . . . — — Map (db m201725) HM
These barracks closely resembled those of Company K, except that they were vacated two years earlier. In 1859, the Army transferred Company H to a newly established post along the Lower San Antonio-El Paso Road that would eventually become Fort . . . — — Map (db m202171) HM
Soldiers originally lived in quickly built structures made of locally available materials or prefabricated Turnley Cottages. Neither type of building was comfortable or effective at shielding the occupants from the weather. The permanent stone and . . . — — Map (db m201729) HM
This small cemetery is one of two known at Fort Lancaster. The fort likely had an official post military cemetery but its location is not known and the burials there would have been relocated to another fort when Fort Lancaster was decommissioned. . . . — — Map (db m201721) HM
The post hospital was an adobe structure with a dispensary, storeroom, and a small three-bed ward. There was also an attached kitchen building. The hospital staff included a civilian surgeon, a hospital steward, a nurse, a matron, and a dedicated . . . — — Map (db m201719) HM
First known to civilized men in the 18th century, when, according to legend, Franciscan Padre Alvarez prayed for water to ease his thirst, put down his staff, and saw a spring gush forth from the ground. This landmark of western travel was named for . . . — — Map (db m85005) HM
Each company had its own dedicated kitchen and mess hall where cooks, often soldiers themselves, prepared and served meals for the enlisted soldiers. Meals revolved around limited food supplies-mostly beef, bread, and canned goods but a garden . . . — — Map (db m202172) HM
In 1860, there were four laundresses employed for Company K at Fort Lancaster. Each had her own living quarters made of adobe, complete with an open hearth and stone chimney. Typically, laundresses charged each soldier $2.00 per month for washing, . . . — — Map (db m202176) HM
Soldiers burned limestone in the kiln to create quicklime, an ingredient in the mortar, stucco, and whitewash used in the construction of the post buildings. A large amount of wood, which was a scarce resource, was needed to fuel the kiln. They . . . — — Map (db m201723) HM
Each officer's quarters originally consisted of two rooms separated by a double fireplace with a detached kitchen behind. By 1860, the kitchens had been attached and half of the structures had wooden shingle roofs. Both unmarried officers and those . . . — — Map (db m201716) HM
Route of march and troop supply on Texas frontier. Followed in part pre-Columbian Indian trails and "Old Chihuahua Trail" that ran from San Antonio to El Paso and Mexico. In 1840s this was extended to Gulf Coast Port of Indianola where imported . . . — — Map (db m126683) HM
The Quartermaster provided general supplies and rations for soldiers. He also oversaw the bakery, blacksmith's shop, and carpenter's shop. He also supervised the corral, granary and hay yard for the fort's horses and mules.
Caption . . . — — Map (db m202178) HM
Established in 1855 by the United States Government as a protection to travelers and mail on the overland route from San Antonio to San Diego. Abandoned in 1861. Reoccupied in 1868 for a short time. — — Map (db m126687) HM
Owned and operated by a civilian merchant, the sutler's store was the only two-story building at Fort Lancaster. The sutler sold liquor, tobacco, and supplies to travelers as well as soldiers. This building also served as a stage relay station for . . . — — Map (db m201722) HM
The Chihuahua Trail was opened by segments, but was not called by this name until the 19th century. A small part of the route, along the nearby Pecos River, was followed by the Spaniard Gaspar Castano de Sosa in 1590, during an expedition to New . . . — — Map (db m126681) HM
Spanish explorers traveled Indian trails here in the Pecos River Valley as early as 1590. Later, U.S. Cavalry, a camel train, and stage and mail lines between San Antonio and San Diego, California, used the route.
Nearby Pecos Spring attracted . . . — — Map (db m138875) HM
