Fort Belknap (Texas)

Fort Belknap, established in 1851 near Newcastle, Texas, served as a crucial military outpost to protect the Texas frontier from Native American raids. It was the northernmost fort in a strategic line and played a significant role in the development of transportation routes, including the Butterfield Overland Mail. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the fort's history includes notable figures like Captain Randolph B. Marcy and Lieutenant George B. McClellan, who explored the region. Although abandoned before the Civil War due to water supply issues, parts of the fort have been restored, and it now features a museum and the largest known mustang grape vine. The Fort Belknap Archives also preserve important historical records from North Texas, making it a valuable site for both tourists and researchers.