Traveling along Highway 90 in south Texas just 30 miles east of Del Rio is a treasure that not many people know about. Located between San Antonio and El Paso, this fort was established in 1852 along the Las Moras springs (named by Spanish explorers meaning “the mulberries”).
The post was originally occupied by Companies C and E of the First Infantry. By 1853, quarters for the soldiers were nearly complete and by 1855, a hospital and later a two-story storehouse were erected. Over time, a trading post and small community founded nearby grew to become the town of Brackettville. Federal soldiers left the fort at the outbreak of the Civil War, but returned at war’s end.
From the late 1880’s thru World War I, many infantry units and almost all cavalry units, including the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldiers, were stationed at one time or another at this fort. At the end of the Indian Wars era, the fort almost closed; however, turmoil along the border due to the Mexican Revolution and the beginning of World War I gave new purpose to the fort.
Perhaps most famously, the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts (also known as the Black Seminoles) served at this fort from 1872 until 1914. Under the command of Lt. John Bullis and Colonel Randal Mackenzie, they helped protect the Texas border from Mexican troops and against Comanche, Kickapoo, and Lipan Indian raids.
During World War II, the 2nd Cavalry Division, the army’s last horse mounted unit, served at this post. More than 12,000 troops trained at the fort until their deployment in February 1944. Comprised of over 4,000 acres, the fort was also used as a German prisoner-of-war camp.
Although the technological advancements of a modern army signaled the end of cavalry usage, Fort Clark—one of the last horse-cavalry posts in the country—was officially inactivated in early 1946.
Later that year, Brown and Root Company purchased the property. The company demolished the less sturdy structures built during World Wars I and II and began efforts to save the buildings built in the 19th century. The fort was sold to the North American Towns of Texas in 1971 and was developed into a resort and retirement community.
With over 80 original Fort Clark buildings still standing, the community is now known as Fort Clark Springs. Of note, it is home to the third largest spring-fed swimming pool in the state. Many of the streets are named for officers who served at Fort Clark, such as Mackenzie, Shafter, Bullis, Wainwright, and Patton. Many of the original officer’s quarters and the homes of Wainwright and Patton are private residences now.
The fort’s military history is on display in the old Fort Clark Guardhouse Museum. The original cavalry barracks were made into a motel and is a great place to stay. Visitors can play a game of golf on the original parade grounds or take a hike along the
Las Moras spring. An ancient grove of oak and pecan trees near the spring is a great place to have a picnic—just as bygone travelers have done in the past.
