Fort Belknap
Also known as: Fort Belknap State Park
Why it's listed
Fort Belknap was a US Army post founded on June 24, 1851, beside the Brazos River in what is now Young County, Texas. It anchored a chain of forts meant to shield the Texas frontier from Kiowa and Comanche raids. Of the outer-ring posts, it took the heaviest attacks and launched expeditions into Indian homeland. Troops from the fort and the Texas Frontier Regiment used it through the Civil War. It also served as a Butterfield Overland stage station and as a base for Red River exploration in 1852. The army discontinued it as a permanent post in 1867 because of an unreliable water supply. Today it is a county park. The only original structure is the 1852 sandstone arsenal, now called the Chapel of Peace. The commissary, barracks, kitchen and corn house were rebuilt on original foundations in 1936 for the Texas Centennial. They now hold museums and a western archives collection.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Fort Belknap was the key post in the outer chain of Texas frontier forts, protecting settlers from Kiowa and Comanche raids between 1850 and 1865. It bore the brunt of the attacks and was the base for military offensives into Indian territory. It also served as a stop on the Butterfield Overland stage route and as a base for Red River exploration.
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 66000824, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1 mi. S of jct. of TX 24 and 251, Newcastle |
|---|---|
| County | Young County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000824 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1851) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 19, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a county park with museums and archives, in cooperation with the Fort Belknap Society. Condition is rated good and excellent. The arsenal is original but reroofed, and the other structures are 1936 reconstructions. |
| Acreage | 15.3 |
| Coordinates | 32.87401, -98.74195 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 66000824.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5470794
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.