Fort Concho

The post went through three names, the Handbook of Texas says: Capt. George G. Huntt called it Camp Hatch, it became Camp Kelly for the late Maj. Michael J. Kelly, and in March 1868 it took the name Fort Concho. Its 1868 commissary storehouse is the oldest building in San Angelo. Materials not found locally came by oxcart from the Gulf Coast, stonemasons and carpenters from around Fredericksburg did the early work, and the government leased the land. A garden at Bismarck Farm supplemented the commissary, and drinking water came from a spring three miles south.

What the plaque says

The center of a line of forts extending from the northeastern border of Texas to El Paso. Was also northern point of southern chain of forts extending to Rio Grande, thence along that river to its mouth. Established 1867 (at then junction of Butterfield Trail, Goodnight Trail and road to San Antonio) by 4th Cavalry under Capt. George G. Huntt to protect frontier. By March 1, 1870, fort buildings were (in order of their construction) a commissary and quartermaster storehouse, hospital, five officers quarters, a magazine and two barracks-- all built of sandstone. Among those who commanded post were: Gen. Wm. R. Shafter (later major general of volunteers, Spanish-American War; commanded troops at capture of Santiago de Cuba, July 1898); Maj. John P. Hatch (at one time fort was named in his honor); Gen. Wesley Merritt (first commander of Fort Davis after Civil War; was later superintendent of U. S. Military Academy at West Point); Gen. Ranald Slidell Mackenzie (who led attacks, from this and other forts, credited with defeat of Indian resistance in southwest); and Gen. Benjamin H. Grierson, commander of Negro troops of 10th Cavalry. On June 20, 1889, fort was abandoned as a military post and property passed into private ownership. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Concho National Historic Landmark — steps away
  The stone post at the forks of the Concho, headquarters of the Tenth Cavalry from 1875 to 1882, saved by a woman with a museum and now a city-run landmark of 23 original buildings.
• San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts — steps away
  A free art museum on the Concho beside Fort Concho, founded in the fort's 1868 quartermaster building and known nationally for its biennial ceramics competition.
• Miss Hattie's Bordello Museum — 0.4 mi
  The upstairs rooms on Concho Avenue where a brothel ran from 1902 until the Texas Rangers closed it in 1952, shown on short guided tours with most of the furnishings original.
• Concho River Walk — 0.7 mi
  Four miles of lit trails along the North Concho through downtown San Angelo, rebuilt after voters taxed themselves in 2004, with gardens, sculpture, a river stage and stocked trout.

More markers nearby

• The Tenth Cavalry — steps away
• John Yellott Rust — 0.6 mi
• First United Methodist Church of San Angelo — 0.6 mi
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 0.6 mi