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History in
a Pecan Shell
Although the camp
was first established in Mills
County in 1855, it was later moved to Coleman
County in 1856. The new location was on the trail connecting Fort
Belknap and Fort Mason.
It was said to be on Mulewater Creek, just six miles N of the Colorado
River. Two companies of U.S. Cavalry were stationed there but due
to frequent illness, it was moved north to Jim
Ned Creek in 1857.
From 1857 until the start of the Civil War, Camp Colorado served as
the nerve center and protector for all other communities in Coleman
County. It had a post office (see cover
with postmark) and a telegraph connected to San
Antonio. The camp even had an “open air” school taught by one
of the post’s officers under the shade of a tree.
With the advent of the Civil War, the camp was evacuated with all
of the men and officers joining the Confederates with the exception
of one Lt. Cosby who remained in the Union. After the troops left
the camp, it was occupied by Texas State Troops and / or Texas Rangers.
Texas troops were stationed here until the end of the war. It was
not re-occupied by the U.S. Army. In the late 1870s the land was purchased
by an Englishman who turned the former post into his home, using the
HQ building and guardhouse as his quarters.
There is a cemetery just east of the former camp. |
Coleman County
1936 Pony Bridge on CR140
Near Camp Colorado
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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