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FORT LINCOLN,
TEXAS
Ghost Fort
Medina County
N of D’Hanis
On private property.
Posted with a "No Trespassing" sign |
"Site of
Fort Lincoln" 1936 Texas Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
The fort, one
of a string of eight that stretched from Eagle
Pass to the Red River, was named after Captain George Lincoln,
who was killed in action during the Mexican War.
Texas Ranger Chas. S. DeMontel camped here with his men in 1848 and
in July of the following year it was established as a fort.
The location on the creek afforded a strategic view as well as access
to water.
The location was along the Woll Road, connecting San
Antonio with Fort Duncan in Eagle
Pass. The troops were stationed here to protect recently arrived
settlers and the commercial trade from Indian raids.
As it’s name implies, Seco (Dry) Creek was seldom flowing. The fort’s
main structures were made from limestone while other buildings were
constructed of logs with shingled or thatched roofs. It housed around
100 troops with the highest number once reaching 141.
As the protective line of forts moved to the west, Fort Lincoln was
abandoned in 1852 although it was used on occasional by Texas Rangers.
Rock from the buildings was cannibalized for residences in D’Hanis
and today only remnants of a structure is left of the fort. A 1936
Texas Centennial Marker shown here marks the location.
(On Seco Creek. 2 miles NW on FM 1796 from D’Hanis,
left on CR 4204.
March 2013 Update: On private property. Posted with a "No Trespassing"
sign.) |
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"Site of
Fort Lincoln" Texas Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
Site of Fort
Lincoln
Established
by the United States Army July 7, 1849 as a link in a chain of posts
extending from the Rio Grande to the Red River.
Named in honor of Captain George Lincoln who fell at Buena Vista Feb.
23, 1847.
Abandoned July 20, 1852 after the frontier line had advanced further
westard.
1936 |
Remains of Fort
Lincoln Officers' Quarter
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
"Some time
back, maybe in the 1910's, someone made an addition to the original
fort structure. The original is to the left of the vertical line.
The bricks shown have "D'HANIS"
imprinted on them."
- Barclay
Gibson, August 2011 photo |
Entrance to the
original fort structure above
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
"Site of
Fort Lincoln" Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2011 |
| Environs &
marker when it was erected in 1936 |
Forum
Subject: Fort Lincoln, D'Hanis, Texas
My
wife's GGgrandfather Capt. Heinrich Josep [HJ] Richarz, purchased
Ft Lincoln and it became his homestead. The property originally
consisted of 500 acres. He moved after 2-3 years on another 500
acre property on the San Antonio River, south of San
Antonio, TX across the street from L'Espandage Franciscan Church,
part of the 'Alamo' Franciscan missions.
He previously was a member of the Legislature in his homeland Germany,
but supporting a fight for democracy against Napolean III, after
in absentia being sentence to death, quickly left Germany with his
wife and son Walter for Texas.
He would become the first Postmaster of D'Hanis, County Judge, Head
of Pioneer Forces protecting pilgrims against Comanches during the
Civil War, later Capt of Texas Rangers at Ft. Inge. His son Walter
[KIA 1871], buried next to his father on Seco [Ft. Lincoln], now
referred to Rudinger Ranch. His youngest daughter married Rudinger,
who worked for and assisted in management of Richarz Ranch [Ft.
Lincoln].
The brick factory producing bricks stamped D’Hanis
was started by his son in law, Walrath.
Capt HJ Richarz, after leaving State Legislature, again became the
County Judge, and retired back to his ranch, raising both cattle
and sheep. He brought to Texas the
first registered Merino Rams from Germany to Texas
to breed with local Mexican sheep. His wife's cousins Augustus and
Caspar Real [Real County] became the largest wool raisers in the
world by 1900. His wife's other cousin was Mrs. Charles Schreiner
of the famed YO Ranch. -
John K. Condon, July 02, 2012
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