Fort Richardson State Park
Still on the way to Route 66, we make a stop at Fort Richardson State Park, Jacksboro, Texas, on Route 281. Fort Richardson was established in 1867 to protect settlers along the Texas frontier.
According to the website: “Troops stationed there worked to subdue the plains Native Americans and force them onto reservations north of the Red River.”
“Life was hard for men at this frontier fort. They made long difficult patrols along the frontier, sometimes going as far as modern-day New Mexico and Colorado. They guarded the military road connecting them with forts to the southwest. They also helped local law officers keep the peace in Jacksboro.”
“After the Battle of Palo Duro, the frontier became safer. The Army issued orders to abandon Fort Richardson in 1878.”