Fort Gates

Fort Gates is a military post located on the north bank of the Leon River with eighteen buildings that include officers' quarters, enlisted barracks, a hospital, and storehouses. The layout reflects the standard organization of an Army installation from that era.

Captain William Reading Montgomery founded the fort in 1849 as part of a defensive line of seven Army posts. It was built following the Mexican War to protect settlers moving into West Texas.

The fort sat at a crossroads where soldiers encountered different native peoples of the region. The daily life at the post was shaped by its location near Tonkawa, Waco, Comanche, and Lipan Apache territories.

The site can be explored on foot and is relatively open for viewing. Visitors should bring shade and water since the grounds offer little natural shelter from the elements.

The hill behind the ruins is called Lead Mountain because of the countless lead bullets found there over the years. The name comes from the era when gunfire and target practice left their mark on the landscape.

Location: Texas

GPS coordinates: 31.39060,-97.68390

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:56