After Texas became a state in 1845, settlers quickly emigrated there in the hopes of finding new opportunities. The settler's rapid growth quickly brought them into conflict with the Native Americans who defended the prairies as their  traditional lands for hunting and trading. Conflict was inevitable, and the violent struggle resulted in the U.S. Army establishing a line of frontier forts, which were later joined by a second line of forts built further west, which were supplemented by more Army outposts established after the Civil War.

The Texas Fort Trails is part of the Texas Heritage Trails Program, an initiative of the Texas Historical Commission to implement and promote heritage tourism efforts in Texas. The Texas Fort Trail swings through central Texas and includes eight forts and one presidio, which together offer a retrospective view of frontier life as settlements moved westward.

My interest in the forts began when I was stationed at Fort Wolters - several were within striking distance of the base. I hope that you enjoy my photo gallery of the ones recently visited.

The total trail extends for over six hundred miles, and the forts and towns in the region can be enjoyed in one long trip, or in several smaller jaunts. The forts along the Texas Forts Trail include the following:

• Fort Belknap, Graham

• Fort Chadbourne, Bronte

• Fort Concho, San Angelo

• Fort Griffin, Albany

• Fort McKavett, Menard

• Fort Mason, Mason

• Fort Phantom Hill, Abilene

• Fort Richardson, Jacksboro

• Presidio San Luis de Las Amarillas, Menard

Forts built further to the west included:

• Fort Davis, Brewster County

While not a Texas Fort, Fort Sill, Oklahoma is an important active installation with great historical significance and performed a major role in the settlement of the west

Lastly, the Battle of the Little Bighorn is perhaps the most famous battle fought in the United States - it is certainly the most written about and well worth a trip to Montana.