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Fort Concho is a former US Army fort in San Angelo, Texas. It’s open to visitors and a great place to learn about military life on the frontier.
History
Fort Concho was established in November 1867 at the confluence of the north and south branches of the Concho River. It sat on the Goodnight-Loving Trail, which followed part of the old Butterfield Overland Mail route. The fort was home to the 4th Cavalry from 1867 to 1875, and the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry from 1875 to 1882.
Fort Concho was abandoned in June 1889 and divided into commercial and residential lots. Most of the buildings were renovated while a few were demolished and recycled for materials. New buildings were constructed in and around the fort, including a school on the parade ground in 1907.
Conservation
Conservation efforts began in 1905 with suggestions that the city purchase the land. Finally, in 1913, progress was made. The eastern third of the grounds, which remained intact, were donated to San Angelo by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. In 1924, the Daughters of the American Revolution raised enough money to preserve the fort and also secured its designation as a Texas state historic site.
The Fort Concho Museum later moved into the Headquarters building and opened on August 18, 1830, but the building itself wasn’t acquired until 1935. Four more buildings were acquired in 1939, with further acquisitions taking place in the 1940s and 1950s. On July 4, 1961, Fort Concho was named a National Historic Landmark District, and on October 15, 1966, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A major restoration took place in the 1980s. More buildings were acquired, post-fort structures were demolished, and the parade ground was fully restored. By 1989, Fort Concho consisted of 16 original buildings, six reconstructed buildings, and one ruin. In August 2019, there were 25 total buildings, and in September 2021 a permit was issued for the reconstruction of the Enlisted Men’s Barracks #3 and #4.
Visiting
Fort Concho is open to visitors daily. Guided tours run Wednesday through Sunday and last about 90 minutes. Adult admission is US$5 for guided tours and US$3 for self-guided tours (as of April 2024). Check the official website for a schedule of guided tours. Not all of the buildings were open during our visit so we didn’t exactly get a complete look at the fort. I hope to return one day to see the rest.
Barracks Row
The first section of Fort Concho we visited was Barracks Row. It consisted of six enlisted men’s barracks on the northern side of the parade ground.
Enlisted Men’s Barracks #1 was built in 1869 and #2 in 1870. Both housed two cavalry companies each. Today, #1 functions as the visitor center and gift shop while #2 displays wagons and artillery pieces. Both buildings were acquired in 1981.
Enlisted Men’s Barracks #3 through #6 housed infantrymen. #3 and #4 were both demolished after the fort was abandoned. #5 and #6 were built in 1871 and housed a unit of the National Guard in the 1920s. They were both in ruins by 1947 and reconstructed in 1951. Today, #5 is decorated with period furniture and items enlisted infantrymen would have used during their time at Fort Concho.
Commissary and Quartermaster’s Storehouse
The east side of the parade ground holds Administrative Row. On the northern side of Administrative Row are the Commissary and Quartermaster’s Storehouse. They were built in 1868 and 1869 respectively and are the oldest buildings in San Angelo. The Commissary was acquired in 1939 but used as a garage by the municipal transit department until 1974. The Quartermaster’s Storehouse was used as the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts from 1985 to 1999.
Headquarters
The Headquarters building is between the Quartermaster’s Storehouse and the Post Hospital. It was constructed in 1876 on the orders of Commander Benjamin Grierson (1826-1911). It consisted of a main central structure with north and south wings. The building was used in various capacities in the 20 years after the fort was abandoned.
Four rooms on the ground floor are decorated to appear as they would have during the time the fort was active. They are the court martial, orderly’s room, adjutant’s office, and regimental headquarters.
Post Hospital
The Post Hospital lies on the southern end of Administrative Row. The original hospital was built between 1868 and 1870 but destroyed by fire in 1911. It was reconstructed in the mid-1980s and contains an exhibit on frontier medicine as well as general medicine.
Chapel and Schoolhouse
The Chapel and Schoolhouse was completed and dedicated on February 22, 1879. It was the last structure to be completed during the fort’s military years and sits at the eastern end of Officers’ Row (see below). After Fort Concho was abandoned, it continued to be used as a schoolhouse and also served as a private home at one point. It was acquired in 1946.
Officers’ Row
On the southern side of the parade ground is Officers’ Row. It consisted of nine buildings housing officers. On the far west side is Officers’ Quarters #1, which was built between 1870 and 1872. It served as the commanding officer’s residence and was acquired in 1964.
Officers’ Quarters #2 was built in 1870 and acquired in 1952. Buildings #3 through #6 were also built in 1870, but #5 lies in ruins. Officers’ Quarters #7 was built between 1870 and 1877, while #8 and #9 were completed in 1872.
E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony
Officers’ Quarters #4 houses the E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony. It opened at Fort Concho in November 1990 and displays original telephone equipment and switchboards.
Stables
Finally, about a block north of Barracks Row are the stables. One of the stables houses an events venue available for rent.
The Living History Stable displays wagons and coaches, including a Wells Fargo stagecoach. There are also horses and examples of brands used by local ranches.
