San Angelo has a rich history and, whether you’re a third-generation local or a tourist just stopping by, we highly recommend diving deeper to discover the story of both the town and the state of Texas as a whole. The Fort Concho Museum is one of our favorite places to learn something new and have fun while doing it, so keep reading to find out what it has to offer.
1. Learn the Mission
Since October of 1980, the mission of the fort has been to preserve fort structures, archeological information, and features of the site, to develop and maintain the interior interpretive center that illustrates the history of the area, and to give the San Angelo and Texas community a resource for detailed education. The fort has held steadfast to the mission, and the Board frequently reviews the statement of purpose in regards to priorities, programs, restorations, and more.
2. Explore the History
The fort was established on the banks of the Concho River in 1867 with the purpose of protecting frontier settlements, patrol the Texas region, map the new territory, and address threats to the area. More than forty buildings were originally built from native limestone that covered more than 1600 acres and provided the regimental headquarters for the 4th and 10th Cavalry. Later, the Buffalo Soldiers, one of the first all-Black regiments, served at and protected the post.
3. Check Out the Collections
To see a piece of history, we suggest taking a look at the collection of the fort which includes more than twenty thousand historical objects donated by individuals, the state of Texas, and the national government. The bulk of these historical objects trace their roots to a time between 1865 and 1920, and items that can be found in the collections include tools, clothing, weapons, personal belongings, and furnishing of civilians, the army, and the indigenous population.
4. Do Your Research
Apart from physical historical objects, the fort also has an extensive library that documents the stories of the area and is owned and operated by San Angelo city. A majority of the literary resources document some portion of the American Indian Wars Era which spanned from 1865-1891, and a particular focus is dedicated to the West Texas military frontier. In addition to texts, you can find pictures of famous people such as William G. Wedemeyer and M.C. Ragsdale.
5. Plan Your Visit
The fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, while Sundays are shortened and doors are open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors can go on self-guided tours to enjoy the exhibits and other offerings at their own pace. Regular adult admission is three dollars, while military members and seniors pay two dollars, students pay $1.50, and children younger than six years old receive free admission.
There’s no better place to discover the history of San Angelo and the breathtaking fort that protected it. After scheduling your visit, swing by Randall Motors Cadillac for top-quality vehicles, services, and so much more!
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