Day Trips: Fort Martin Scott, Fredericksburg
Texas Historical Commission takes over management of Hill Country frontier fort
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Oct. 11, 2024
Fort Martin Scott has been hiding in plain sight on the edge of Fredericksburg for more than a century. It was recently added to the Texas Historical Commission’s inventory as the 39th state historic site.
The designation means the state agency will add new interpretive programs to the documentation and restoration begun by the city and local volunteers.
The city purchased the property in 1959. Since the 1980s, local preservations have rebuilt two officer’s quarters, a sutler’s store, enlisted men’s barracks, and a cabin.
The only original building from the fort was the former guardhouse. Built with 18-inch limestone walls in 1849, it was purchased in 1870 by Johann Braeutigam. He and his wife, Christine, raised nine children in the former jail while they farmed the land.
In addition to orchards and a vineyard, Johann added an oval horserace track and saloon near the road which ultimately became U.S. Highway 290. The first county fair was held here in 1881. Tragically, Johann was killed in the saloon by robbers in 1884. His youngest son, Henry, sold the property to the city.
Although not much of a physical presence survives of the original frontier fort that was used for about five years between 1848 and 1866, its stories transcend the years. How the hard cash from the fort help the struggling German settlement survive. How the Fort Martin Scott Treaty prevented warfare between the settlers and the Native people. The fort was an important part of the area’s early history.
Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site is in Fredericksburg at 1606 E. Main St. A trail loops around the former parade ground past the historic structures with placards telling the stories of the fort. Access to the grounds are available daily from 8am to 8pm. The buildings are open Thursday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free until Nov. 1.
1,724th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere: Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/daily/travel.
