One Fourth-Mile North to Ruins of Fort Lancaster
Ozona, Crockett County, Texas
Marker Inscription
[1936 inscription] One-Fourth Mile North to Ruins of Fort Lancaster. Established in 1855 by the United States government as a protection to travelers and mail on the overland route from San Antonio to San Diego. Abandoned in 1861. Reoccupied in 1868 for a short time. Erected by the State of Texas 1936. [1966 inscription] Ruins of Fort Lancaster. Established August 20, 1855 by United States government, one half-mile above the junction of Live Oak Creek with the Pecos River in present Crockett County. Garrisoned by U.S. Second Cavalry, who protected travelers and mail on the San Antonio-El Paso military road. Fort was abandoned March 19,1861, after Texas seceded from the Union. Reoccupied by federal troops, 1868, for a short time. At Pecos River, just south of Hwy. 290 river bridge, is one of most used Texas pioneer fords. Ruts made by wagon wheels sliding down hill are plainly visible. (1966)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Established by the U.S. Army in 1855 above the junction of Live Oak Creek and the Pecos River, Fort Lancaster guarded travelers and mail on the long overland road between San Antonio and the far West. Garrisoned by the Second Cavalry, it was abandoned in March 1861 after Texas seceded from the Union, then briefly reoccupied by federal troops in 1868. Nearby, the deep ruts of one of the most-used pioneer fords of the Pecos are still visible where wagon wheels dragged down the hillside.
Why it matters
Frontier forts like Lancaster were the thin line that kept the great southern overland and mail routes open, and its ruts and ruins mark the hard physical road of westward travel.
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Nearby & related markers
Ruins of Fort Lancaster
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