Charles Henry, Flickr Creative Commons
As you head through west central Texas on I-10 you may or may not have seen the exit signs for Ft McKavett. If you’re coming in from the west like you’re headed for San Antonio, turn left onto 202 (Poplar St) in Sonora, TX until it becomes 245 and follow that all the way to Ft McKavett. If you’re coming in from the east like you’re headed to El Paso, turn right onto 1674, which is an exit more or less in the middle of nowhere, and follow that road north to Ft McKavett.
Fort McKavett was described back in it’s heyday as “the prettiest post in Texas” and even though it is a ghost town and many buildings are in ruin, it is still a magnificent looking spot today. It was originally settled in the 1850’s as a regular little town with the we’ll-never-have-tourists-with-a-name-like-that name of Scabtown, TX. As little as nine years later the town was abandoned after the population was run off by Comanches. Ten years later the US Army founded the cavalry post of Ft McKavett in 1869. The fort was only in operation from 1869-1883 by which time it’s use as a defense against Indian raids was no longer required. The town that sprung up around Ft McKavett had a population that peaked in the early 1900’s at a whopping 150 folks.
These days the old fort has been partly restored by the Texas Historical Commission, while some buildings remain in ruin. The Fort was notable for being home to one of the Buffalo Soldier regiments which were the African-American horse soldiers of the Old West. Today there are periodic Buffalo Soldier reenactments. The fort is also notable for being the site of the first ever Medal Of Honor awarded to an African American soldier when the MOH was presented to Sgt Emanuel Stance who was a member of the 10th Cavalry for “gallantry on a scout for Indians”.
Tell us about your favorite places from the past to visit in a our fine state in the comment section below, and before you hit the road, don’t forget to hit our website for any parts and accessories you may need!