Fort Richardson

Fort Richardson was the northernmost post of a line of forts stretching from the Rio Grande to the Red River.  Working in concert with other Texas posts and Fort Sill in INdian Territory, the fort played an important role in subduing the native Plains Indians and forcing them onto reservations north of the Red River.  Troops of the 6th Cavalry established the post at its present site on the south bank of Lost Creek, near Jacksboro, in the fall of 1867.  Fort Richardson was named in honor of General Israel B. Richardson, a veteran of the Seminole Indian War and the Mexican war who died at the Civil War Battle of Antietam in 1862

The soldiers of Fort Richardson maintained the post, guarded the military road connecting them with Forts Griffin and Concho to the southwest, helped local law officers keep the peace, pursued criminals and deserters and most importantly, patrolled for Indian raiding parties.  On occasion "routine" patrols became bloody battles; one of the most notable being the fierce battle at the Little Wichita River in July 1870.  Kiowa Chief Kicking Bird and a large war party ambushed 56 troopers from the 6th Cavalry at Little Wichita.  Even though heavily outnumbered, the cavalrymen fought off their attackers.  Medals of Honor were awarded to 13 men of the 6th for gallantry.  

The Quaker Peace Policy, initiated by President Grant in 1869, placed Indian reservations under civilian control and prohibited military movements on the reservations.  Frustrated and dissatisfied with life on the reservation, many warriors responded by attacking white settlements in Texas.  The raiders were greeted as heroes, and their new status as warriors effectively undercut the authority of those chiefs who counseled peace.  

In 1936 the Texas Centennial Commission allocated money to purchase the 41 acres upon which the surviving fort buildings stood and the site was turned over to the City of Jacksboro and the Jack County Historical Society to maintain.  Fort Richardson continued to be the center of community activities, including country fairs, circuses, rattlesnake roundups, baseball games, dances, graduations and even political rallies.  The National Parks Service declared Fort Richardson a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and five years later the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department took over operation of the post.  

Today, Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway contains 454.16 acres with fort site structures including seven original historic buildings which have been restored along with two replica fort buildings.