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By Marvin F. Schroeder
Renegade Comanche Indians were only one tribe that the first settlers in Fredericksburg, Texas had to deal with. That’s one of the reasons that the U.S. army sent soldiers to build Fort Martin Scott in 1848. Imagine what it must have been like for U.S. soldiers to build one of the first army forts in the Texas Hill Country, especially when most of the soldiers were from the east coast or even Europe. They dealt with everything from mountain lions and black bears in addition to the Indians
Now in 2022 a living history environment exists at Fort Martin Scott. The fort is adjacent to the Texas Rangers Heritage Center which in itself is a “worth the visit” taste of Texas history. Combine Fort Martin Scott and the Texas Rangers and you have a major piece of Texas to enjoy with the entire family. The experience is free and open to the public.
You’ll be able to relive how Company B of the Second Dragoon Regiment Calvary soldiers day began and ended. Besides patrolling the area and protecting the immigrant German citizens, they fetched water for the men and animals from Barons Creek. The creek remains right next to the fort today. Their barracks can be seen and you will stand on the spot where they ate, played cards, worked and slept.
Imagine the blacksmith, in his adobe house, making horse shoes, metal parts for the wagons and even repairing weapons when needed. What main roads they had were few and very far between. The historical Pinta Trail went right passed Fort Martin Scott on the other side of Barons Creek. This gave travelers to Fredericksburg and heading further west an opportunity to stop and rest under the protection of the soldiers.
Why Is Fort Martin Scott so important to Texas History?
Let’s talk about Texas history, yes I know, it kind of reminds you of school days, boring.
We all know Texas has a lot and I mean a lot of history. So why is Fort Martin Scott so important?
Now comes the fun part, who was here first? At the height of their existence they estimate over thirty different tribes of Native Americans lived here. Many of the tribes traveled through Gillespie County on a route known as the ‘Pinta Trail’. This trail passed along the creek called ‘Barons creek,’ which runs along the North side of this creek where Fort Martin Scott is located.
Then came the Spaniards and of course there was a clash of cultures. Then this state was part of Mexico. In the early 1800’s Mexico opened this land to several foreign settlers, with a major condition that they had to become Mexican citizens!
Of course this means even more clashes with the different people here.
Now add to this the Mexican citizens that were living here that had their share of issues with being under the Mexican Government hundreds of miles South. There was also the on going challenges with the Native Americans and well, shall we say, less than desirable people……………bandits and such.
Stay with me now…… believe me, I going to get us to Fort Martin Scott!
In 1823 Stephen F. Austin and the folks in his Colony were struggling with challenges of the cross section of humanity and the lawlessness. This is why they had to create a “protection force” of men who were willing to help defend or bring to justice those breaking the law. This organization struggled for several years with being understaffed, little or no pay and some of the most challenging conditions imaginable!
This group of men later were to become known as the “Texas Rangers”.
By late 1835 things were beginning to get pretty rough with the Mexican type of Government and in the spring of 1836 the “Texians” went to war with Mexico seeking their freedom. During that winter the Texians managed to survive and win that freedom in April at a place called San Jacinto.
The new word for Texas was, “Republic.” So for a few years we were our own little Republic between the United States and Mexico!
On December 29, 1845 Texas was annexed into the United States, well this did not sit well with Mexico and the second war with Mexico was started on May 13, 1846. Now, understand this was not a war with Texas since we were now part of the United Sates, it became a war between Mexico and the United States. That war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildalgo on February 2, 1848.
Now comes Fort Martin Scott three miles East of Fredericksburg, Texas!
This fort was named after Martin Scott who as an officer in the U.S. Army and was killed in the Mexican War.
Why is this fort here you say?
Well, since Texas is now a part of the United States and yes, there are still issues between the Native Americans, the settlers moving in and other unsavory folks we needed some protection and Law and Order!
So the United States established five forts in Texas and Fort Martin Scott was the first one built in December 1848.
It’s located on the banks of Barons creek, in Fredericksburg on Highway 290 on a nice flat piece of land perfectly suited for a fort.
So how do you build a fort?
Well, you hope some of your soldiers in the detachment sent there know or you hire some skilled locals to assist you.
The Army hired the right people for the job and what became Fort Martin Scott had about 21 buildings overall and most were made of stone from local quarries and timbers from a small mill close by.
The good news is the Army paid for this work in ‘real’ monies not by using the barter system like so many of the locals were used to doing. This brought in cash for the local economy as well as providing the protection they were needing.
I want to add something here that is rather unique about Fredericksburg, Texas. The locals had established with assistance from the outside a treaty with seven local Indian tribes! The U.S. Military also sought a treaty with some of the same tribes. A detachment from Fort Martin Scott with a Company of Texas Rangers accomplished this very successfully.
Here are some very interesting dates that were going to have a significant impact on Fort Martin Scott and Fredericksburg.
This small German town was established in 1845, a short three years later (1848) Fort Martin Scott is built. In 1849 we all know about the “Gold Rush” of California. Well, to get there most folks had to come through Fredericksburg because this was the safest route of travel to the West.
Fort Martin Scott was officially closed in 1851 because the frontier was moving West very rapidly and new forts further West were needed. But the fort remained a supply stop for the U.S. Military, and a camp stop for the Texas Rangers for a few more years after its closing.
Today the fort is a quiet, picturesque place on the very edge of Fredericksburg on highway 290 but one lone building still stands as a reminder of its former military days. The original Guardhouse is still here! It has had some minor repairs and a new roof but the two foot thick limestone rock walls are still here to remind us of a different and challenging time of early Texas.
In the early 1990’s two reproduction Officer Quarters were constructed on the original foundations. There is also a log cabin in the form of a ‘dog-trot’ style building representing barracks.
On selected weekends and several ‘special event dates’ the fort comes alive with “living history” participants. You might get to see soldiers, Texas Rangers or just good civilians giving you a glimpse of the fort and early Texas History.
