In my quest to visit the frontier forts of Texas, I visited Fort McKavett. The sprawling grounds encompass ruins and original buildings. Like all the forts visited, this one has no palisade (unlike Western movie forts). Other forts visited include Fort Davis, Fort Lancaster, and Fort Stockton. Many more to go.
Used as a POW camp briefly, then by Confederate troops to protect travelers and settlers from Indians (1861-1865).
From 1868 through 1883 it was reoccupied by the US Army including Buffalo soldiers. Abandoned in 1883.
Preservation began in 1967. Now preserved as Fort McKavett State Historic Site.