The first U.S. Army post on the Texas frontier resides inside the city limits of Fredericksburg — Fort Martin Scott. The old fort has seen transformation under the Texas Historical Commission, since the state agency partnered with the City of Fredericksburg to manage and maintain the 176-year-old site last year. The newly minted Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site’s five-year plan includes all new programming. Visitors in 2025 will see more oral history programs, military fairs, rotating exhibits, technology programs and archaeological digs. Long range plans for the fort include bringing in Longhorns and camels and a retail store.
HISTORY
All these programs will showcase the 14-acre property on the eastern edge of Fredericksburg along the old Pinta Trail. The fort, settled in 1848 on Barons Creek, was built by the U.S. Army two years after John O. Meusebach and German settlers established the town of Fredericksburg. The citadel, called Camp Houston, was the first in a string of forts established to help protect U.S. citizens moving west. The camp was renamed Fort Martin Scott in December 1849 after Lt. Col. Martin Scott, who died while fighting in the Mexican-American War.
The infantry units were followed by horse-mounted dragoons, who led scouting patrols and escorts for the settlers. In 1850, Indian Agent John Rollins, Army and Rangers representatives and interpreters met with a group of chiefs on the banks of the San Saba River and forged the Fort Martin Scott Treaty of 1850. Today, the Treaty Stone recognizing the pact is displayed in the fort visitor center. By 1853, Fort Martin Scott became a supply depot and was permanently abandoned by the Army in 1866.
TRANSFORMATION
In 1870, John Braeutigam bought acreage that included the fort guardhouse, which became the Braeutigam family home for 90 years. He created Braeutigam Gardens that included a saloon, store, racetrack and the area’s first dance hall.
The first four Gillespie County fairs were held in the gardens. But the fairs and gardens ended with the robbery and murder of Braeutigam and his saloon in 1884. The Braeutigam family farmed the land until 1959 when they sold it to the City of Fredericksburg.
OFFERINGS
The fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Although structures are closed Sundays and Mondays, the grounds and walking trail remain open from dawn to dusk. The site hosts daily 30-minute to hour-long guided tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission to the park is $10 for adults, $5 for ages five to 17 and free for those under five. Admission is free for those with a 78624 ZIP code on their driver’s license and active duty military.
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