Fort Clark, U.S.A.

The post was first named Fort Riley, for the commander of the First Infantry, and became Fort Clark on July 15, 1852, at Riley's own request. Its first barracks and quarters were Mexican-style jacals and palisade log huts on a limestone ridge above Las Moras Creek; Las Moras means the mulberries. Oscar B. Brackett opened a supply village beside it, called Las Moras, then Brackett in 1856 and later Brackettville. In 1854 two companies of Texas Rangers under captains Charles E. Travis and William Henry helped the regulars patrol the road.

What the plaque says

Fort Clark, U.S.A. 1852-1946 Founded June, 1852. Guarded California road, rebuffed Indians, outlaws. Named for Maj. J. B. Clark, killed in Mexican War. Companies of infantry, artillery, cavalry stationed here. Clothing issued proved too warm for summer. Buildings were too cold for winter until chimneys were built in 1856. Troops routed Indians to Pecos River mouth, helped expel bandit Cortinas from Brownsville, 1859 Union gave up Clark, 1861, after Texas seceded -- re- occupied it 1866. Used Seminole Scout Company. Indian reservation established near post. Duty here, decade after Civil War, was said to be equivalent to honorable mention. Practically all U.S. Cavalry regiments served here. 5th Cavalry served 1920-41. In World War II, 2nd and 11th Cavalry trained here. Post inactivated Feb. 9, 1946. Erected by the State of Texas 1963

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Clark and the Old Guardhouse Museum — 0.5 mi
  The 1852 post at Las Moras Springs, home from 1872 to 1914 of the Black Seminole scouts, now a gated resort with its old guardhouse open as a museum on weekends.
• Kickapoo Cavern State Park — 21 mi
  A lightly developed former ranch on the Kinney-Edwards line with twenty caves, a Saturday tour into a 1,400-foot cavern and a summer bat flight from Stuart Bat Cave.

More markers nearby

• Military Roads in Texas — 0.3 mi
• Carver School Grounds — 0.3 mi
• Fort Clark — 0.3 mi
• 2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Clark — 0.4 mi