Fort Leaton
Why it's listed
Fort Leaton is a multi-roomed adobe compound of more than 25 rooms arranged around an interior courtyard, set on a terrace overlooking the Rio Grande floodplain four miles east of Presidio, Texas. Ben Leaton established it in 1848 as a fortress-home and trading post, though excavations suggest construction began in the late 1830s and proceeded in at least three stages. It was one of four private forts along the Chihuahua Trail and became a place of refuge during Apache and Comanche raids. Soldiers, Texas Rangers, explorers and boundary surveyors used it. Later owners lived there until it was abandoned in 1926, with sporadic use into 1956. Texas Parks and Wildlife acquired it in 1967. Archeological work showed that it was not the site of the 1683 mission or the Spanish presidio once assumed. Restoration in 1969-1971 damaged original material, and full reconstruction was then under consideration.
Significance in brief: It was one of four private forts along the Chihuahua Trail on the western Texas frontier and served as a refuge, supply center and outpost during early settlement of the Big Bend. Troops, Texas Rangers and U.S. soldiers used it as headquarters, and explorers and boundary surveyors visited. Investigations showed it was not the site of the 1683 mission or the Spanish presidio El Fortin, but it remains important to the area's development.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001972, listed June 18, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4 mi. E of Presidio on FM 170, Presidio |
|---|---|
| County | Presidio County |
| Listed | June 18, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001972 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date: 1830's on) |
| Architect / builder | Ben Leaton (established the fort in 1848) |
| Areas of significance | Military, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | State-owned and open as a museum; the fort was occupied until 1926-27 and used sporadically until 1956. Restoration work in 1969-1971 damaged original fabric, and complete reconstruction was being planned. |
| Acreage | 5.6 |
| Coordinates | 29.54184, -104.32715 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001972.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5471495
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.