Site of Fort McKavett

The civilian town that grew up about a mile north of the post was supposed to be named Lehnesburg, for a German merchant, but was called Scabtown instead, the Handbook of Texas says; after the army returned in 1868 it took the post's name. By 1880 it had a school, a church and shops, and residents stayed when the fort closed in 1883. In the mid-1890s the community had three churches, two hotels, a broom and mattress factory, a weekly newspaper and eighty residents. The site went on the National Register in 1971.

What the plaque says

Established March 14, 1852 by the United States war department as a protection to frontier settlers against hostile Indians. Named in honor of Captain Henry McKavett, who fell at the Battle of Monterrey, September 21, 1846. Evacuated by federal troops, March 22, 1859. Reoccupied April 1, 1868. Abandoned June 30, 1883.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort McKavett State Historic Site — steps away
  The post Sherman called the prettiest in Texas, home to soldiers of all four Buffalo Soldier regiments and then to a town that lived in its buildings until 1973.
• Presidio de San Saba — 20 mi
  The ruins of the largest Spanish presidio in Texas, built in 1757 to guard a mission to the Lipan Apache, where the Comanche and their allies first turned back Spain's frontier.

More markers nearby

• Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba — 19 mi
• Real Presidio de San Saba — 19 mi
• Arroyo de Juan Lorenzo — 20 mi
• Puerto de Baluartes (Haven of the Strong Points) — 20 mi