U.S. Forting Exploring Historical U.S. Forts

Fort Inge was one of 8 forts built by order of General George Brooke along the western edge of the Texas frontier in 1848-49. Establishing a line of defense and a federal presence from Fort Worth in North Texas to Fort Inge west of San Antonio, these 8 forts protected early roads and settlers.

Getting to Fort Inge: drive from San Antonio on U.S. 90 to Uvalde and then turn South on Ranch road 140 until you see the sign for Fort Inge, about two miles out of town. The site of the fort is only open on weekends from 8am to 8pm and has a small admission fee. Make sure to drive the length of the park along the river and see the dam.

Fort Inge Hospital and Commissary Foundation Remains

All that’s left of Fort Inge are the remains of a one company frontier fort that lasted from 1849-1869 under various flags and missions. There were a couple of substantial stone buildings whose foundations partially survive and the remnants of a long low stone wall that once surrounded the post. The wooden structures no longer exist. Inge Mountain, which once held the Fort’s flag pole, sits to the right of the post and now has a reproduction of the flag pole at the top of the 125′ peak.

You can really get a flavor of what the duty must have been like at this post and why this site was chosen. The Leona River runs along the western edge of the post providing both the necessary water supply and possibly some good forage for the horses. The post still has the lonely look and feel of the edge of the frontier and everything seems dry and dusty.

Fort Inge Stone Wall and Inge Mountain

There are interpretive signs placed near the locations of the buildings but the hot Texas sun has taken a toll on those signs, making some difficult to read. Horses run free through the post so watch your step. If you want to take the river trail or the fort trail, I suggest you have boots on and keep a sharp eye out.

This is a nice day trip out of San Antonio but don’t expect to see much more than the remains of foundations, the low rock wall and Inge Mountain. However, you will gain an insight into what it was like for the men who served here 150 years ago.

For a look at a more substantial example of a fort of this type and period you can visit Fort Martin Scott in Fredericksburg, which has one original building and several reconstructed buildings.

Posted under Forts