Forts of Texas The Forts of Texas include a number of historical and operational military installations . For over two hundred years , various groups fought over access to or control over the region that is now Texas . Possession of the region was claimed and disputed by the European powers of Spain and France , and the continental countries of Mexico , the United States , the Republic of Texas , and the Confederate States of America . Ownership of specific lands were claimed and disputed by different ethnic groups , including numerous Native American tribes , Mexican residents , Anglo - and African - American settlers , and European immigrants . Access to and control of resources were claimed and disputed by various economic groups , including indigenous hunter / gatherers , farmers , herders , ranchers , colonists , settlers , buffalo hunters , traders , bandits , smugglers , pirates , and revolutionaries . Over the centuries , claims and disputes were enforced by Native American warriors , Spanish conquistador s , French cavaliers , Texas Rangers , local militia s , and uniformed regular army regiment s of Spain , Mexico , Texas , the United States , and the Confederacy . Many military camps , barracks , fortified trading post s , palisade s , stockade s , blockhouse s , strongholds , and fortification s were built to establish , defend , or dispute claims to the area . Early history and pre - history . The southwestern region of North America has been inhabited for many centuries . San Marcos Springs in Central Texas is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of North America . There is evidence of migrations and displacements of peoples in the prehistoric era . However , no evidence has been found of fortifications built by early Native Americans . Texas derives its name from that of a Native American tribe noted for its friendliness . The Texas state motto is " Friendship " . Exploration . The region of Texas was claimed by both royal France and imperial Spain . Both European powers mounted military expeditions to explore the region of Texas . A small number of simple fortifications were established in this era to protect both French and Spanish claims from each other , and to protect expeditionary operations from unwelcoming local inhabitants . Forts of this era include : Colonization . In the 17th and 18th centuries , the primary mechanism for colonization was the Spanish mission . Many such missions included defensive structures to protect their operations and communities . Key missions were supported by nearby Spanish army forts , called " presidio s " . Missions of this period with historical connections to fortifications or military operations include : Presidio s and forts of this period include : Texas Revolution . In the period leading up to the Texas Revolution , Mexico established some new forts in Texas to control or limit Anglo - America n immigration into the region . During and shortly following the Revolution , the Texian s established a number of forts to defend Texas towns and cities . Forts of this period include : Mexican - American War . Following the annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States , the US and Mexico did not have a mutual agreement as to the border between Mexico and the new State of Texas . The United States Army established a number of new forts along the border , and military disputes in this area eventually led to the Mexican - American War . Forts of this period include : Defense from Indians . Interference or resistance from local inhabitants was a concern going back to the first explorations by France and Spain . This was especially of concern to Anglo - America n settlers in the 19th century as they pushed the frontier ever westward . While Native Americans of coastal regions and East Texas were relatively easily assimilated , displaced , or eliminated , some Native American tribes were more actively resistant . This was most famously true for the Comanche and Apache tribes . In the 19th century , one of the key organizations for protecting Anglo American settlements was the Texas Rangers . The Rangers operated a number of posts in Texas that were traditionally referred to as forts , though they lacked the kinds of heavy defenses associated with traditional military fortification s . There were essentially three periods of concern . In the mid 19th century , the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in eastern , central , and south Texas from Indian interference . During the Civil War , local Texas militias , law enforcement , and civilians were concerned with protecting the entire settled portion of the state from interference from both Indians and Mexican bandits . In the late 19th century , the US Army was concerned with protecting settlements and towns in west Texas from Indians . In the latter period , several Texas forts were garrisoned with units of the US Army ' s famed Buffalo Soldier s . Forts of these periods include : Several of the most famous generals from both sides of the American Civil War were stationed at Texas forts while serving in the US Army during this period . Robert E . Lee was stationed at the Alamo and Fort Mason . Albert Sidney Johnston , George Henry Thomas and Earl Van Dorn were also stationed at Fort Mason . Civil War . Texas forts garrisoned by the US Army were abandoned or surrendered at the start of the American Civil War . Some were re - garrisoned by local Texas forces in order to maintain defenses against Indian incursions . Several camps were opened by the Confederate States Army for recruiting or training . Only a few forts were specifically garrisoned to be prepared for conflicts between the Confederates and the Union army and navy . These included : Additionally , there were extensive earthwork fortifications and batteries defending Galveston , which changed hands several times during the war . World War I . Prior to World War I , revolutions in Mexico led to unrest along the US border , including Mexican raids on towns in the Southwest United States . This led to garrisoning by the US Army of camps and forts all along the Rio Grande , Texas ' border with Mexico . Forts of this period include : Additionally , unfortified coastal artillery stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U - boat s or commerce raiders from approaching Texas ports . This included Freeport , Sabine Pass and San Luis Pass . World War II . During World War II , the US Army opened or expanded a number of bases and airfields for training . Extensive U - boat activity in the Gulf of Mexico led to concern about naval raids on Texas ports and coastal cities by ships and submarine s of the Axis powers . Forts of this period include : Additionally , unfortified coastal artillery stations were established at key points on the Texas coast to prevent U - boats or aircraft from approaching Texas ports . This included Sabine Pass , Port Arthur , Baytown , Freeport , Port Aransas , Port Isabel , and San Luis Pass . Also , a number of camps for prisoners of war were established . Camp Travis ( previously Camp Wilson ) on the northeastern boundary of Fort Sam Houston ( five miles northeast of downtown San Antonio ) . Camp Wilson was renamed Camp Travis after it was chosen as the training site for the Ninetieth Division of the army ( Texas - Oklahoma ) . The Camp Travis training facility covered . Cold War . The emergence of nuclear weapon s and a period of comparative tranquility among Texas ' inhabitants and neighbors saw the end of conventional fortifications in Texas . However , forts in Texas served as home bases for major US Army units , and also served as important training areas for the US military and her various allies during the Cold War . Forts of this period include : 21st century . Fort Bliss and Fort Hood remain the headquarters for major American army units , and both reservations remain important training areas for US and allied forces . Fort Sam Houston remains the home for the Army Medical Department . The US Navy retains a major training center at Corpus Christi , and the US Air Force has retained a small number of bases . Defense cutbacks have closed a large number of smaller bases and camps . Due to continuing interest in the colorful history of Texas and her people , archaeological exploration of known and recently discovered historic forts continues .