Fort Brown
National Historic Landmark

Fort Brown

Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
District
Period
Early Republic
Ref No.
66000811

About this property

Fort Brown (originally Fort Texas) was a military post of the United States Army in Cameron County, Texas, during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Established in 1846, it was the first US Army military outpost of the recently annexed state. Confederate Army troops stationed there saw action during the American Civil War. In the early 20th century, it was garrisoned in relation to military activity over border conflicts with Mexico. Surviving elements of the fort were designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

Location

Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
25.89784, -97.49169

Categories

MILITARY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Stillman, Charles, House
Industrial
0.4 mi
La Nueva Libertad
Industrial
0.4 mi
Cameron County Jail, Old
Industrial
0.4 mi
The Gem
Industrial
0.4 mi
Immaculate Conception Church
Industrial
0.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Recapture of Brownsville by Rip Ford
1864Civil War
0.3 mi
Juan Cortina's First Raid (Brownsville)
1859Mexican-American War
0.4 mi
Capture of Brownsville
1863Civil War
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Fort Brown listed on the National Register?

Fort Brown was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Fort Brown?

Fort Brown is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Fort Brown a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Fort Brown has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Fort Brown?

The period of significance for Fort Brown is recorded as the early_republic era, specifically around 1846.

Can I research the history near Fort Brown?

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