Fort McKavett Texas, Fort McKavett State Historic Site. (original) (raw)
Fort McKavett Post Office, TX 76841
Photo courtesy Postmaster Heather Treadwell, August 2007
History in a Pecan Shell
Named in honor of Capt. Henry McKavett, who was killed in the Mexican War battle of Monterrey, the post had been known as Camp San Saba. Camp followers formed a town a mile north of the post. It was supposed to be named after a German merchant, but went by the unfortunate name of "Scabtown."
Camp San Saba closed in 1859, and most of the civilians left when the soldiers departed. The post and the community - having rid itself of the name Scabtown was more than happy to assume the same name as the fort.
The fort closed again in 1883 - but with the Indian threat gone, residents stayed - unlike the previous closing.
By the mid-1890s the community had 80 citizens, a weekly paper - and two hotels. In 1904 the school had twenty-eight students and two teachers.
By the 1920s, Fort McKavett's population was about 150 - falling to 136 during the years of the Great Depression and staying at that level until the 1960s. From a reported 103 in the 70s, it declined to a mere 45 by 1990.
Restoration of the fort began in 1968 when the old school and one of the barracks was acquired and it was under the control of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The restoration continued and by 1990 seventeen buildings had been restored. Now known as Fort McKavett State Historic Site
Photo courtesy Shannan Yarbrough, February 2005
Fort McKavett Chronicles
- Skeletons in Old Fort McKavett by Mike Cox
When an archaeologist found the skeleton buried beneath what once was the floor of Officers Quarters Number 4 at old Fort McKavett near Menard, he dug up a mystery...
Fort McKavett, Texas Forum
- Regarding Fort McKavett, Theodore Roosevelt�s son, Elliot Roosevelt, spent time in the Fort McKavett area hunting and relaxing in the sunshine. - Coe Linn, Austin, Texas, June 24, 2004
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