Fort Croghan Museum & Grounds
Fort Croghan History
The site
Named for Col. George Croghan
Home of the 2nd Dragoons
The 8 Frontier Forts
built across Texas by the U.S. government in 1848-1849
Duncan, Inge, Lincoln, Martin Scott, Croghan, Gates, Graham, and Worth
Setting the scene
Texas became the 28th state on December 29, 1845. It was then that the federal government assumed responsibility for protecting the people and early settlements along the frontier. In service at that time were a few companies of Texas Rangers; but when war with Mexico erupted the following year, most of the Ranger groups were inducted into the US Army and were part of the forces which invaded Mexico. Their departure left the Texas frontier practically and largely unguarded. The settlers pleaded for protection and nine companies of Texas Rangers were stationed at intervals along a line from Gainesville to near Corpus Christi.