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Location DB > United States > Texas > Bolivar > Fort Travis
 Name
Fort Travis
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by corbenator on 5/16/2009 5:10 AM
last modified by corbenator on 5/16/2009 5:37 AM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
Concrete bunkers stationed along the Port of Galveston. The view is amazing, overlooking the Gulf.
 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Closed
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: drop everything - must see
 Physical Information
Address
West Highway 87
Bolivar, Texas
United States
Owner: Galveston County Parks Department
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
  • rust
  • unsafe flooring
  • flooding
  • water
  •  Interesting Features
    Different areas of the fort are more easily accessible than others. Those that are easy to infiltrate provide an eerie sense of American warfare through the ages. Some of the bunkers have huge "blast doors" which aren't closed completely, allowing for one to peer inside. It is dank, cold, and wet. Tunnels run under the entire fort as well, though they are regularly flooded given the location of the fort.
     Security Measures
  • fences
  • part-time guard
  • locked gates
  • welded doors
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1898
    Closed: 1949
     Required Equipment
  • long pants / sleeves
  • sturdy shoes
  •  Recommended Equipment
    camera
     History
    A fort of some kind has been stationed on this spot since 1816 when Frances Xavier Mina of Spain built a levee to protect himself and his men from the Karankawa Indians who lived on the Bolivar Peninsula. In 1818, a man named Dr. James Long came to Texas along with 300 other men in a campaign to help liberate Texas from Spanish rule. They established a fort on this site in 1820. During this period, Long's wife gave birth to the first baby of English descent in Texas' recorded history. Between this point in time until 1898, little occurred on this site. However, near the turn of the 20th century, the present Fort Travis was constructed due to the onset of the Spanish-American War. The fort was heavily damaged in the massive hurricane of 1900. As a result of flooding from the storm, a huge 15 foot sea wall was constructed all the way around the fort. Fort Travis stationed troops during both World Wars to defend the Port of Galveston and its approaches (along with Fort Crockett and Fort Pickens which are located in Galveston). During WWII, the fort was enlarged to accommodate for 2,500 troops, as well as an increase in artillery power. After WWII ended, the site was declared surplus property, was dismantled, and sold to private interests. A private foundation acquired the land in 1976 and opened the area as a public park through the Galveston County Parks Department. Since then, tourists may visit the historic bunkers and picnic or even camp at the site. Until very recently, the bunkers were still accessible, but due to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, they have been bolted, welded, and otherwise sealed shut.
     Media Coverage

     Future Plans

     Stories


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     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Fort Travis 5/15/09
    Sat, May 16th, 2009
    posted by corbenator
    25 pictures
     


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     Panoramas

    Fort Travis main bunker Panoramic
    Sat, May 16th, 2009
    posted by corbenator
     Web Links
    http://www.crystalbeach.com/travis.htm
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    Category Rating
    Photography 9 / 10
    Coolness 7 / 10
    Content Quality 8 / 10
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 5/17/2009 12:27 AM.

     Latest Changes
  • on May 17 09 at 0:27, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on May 16 09 at 6:10, corbenator made this location public
  • on May 16 09 at 6:10, corbenator made this location available
  • on May 16 09 at 6:09, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0662 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:08, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0658 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:08, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0641 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:08, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0633 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:08, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0625 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:08, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0611 copy
  • on May 16 09 at 6:07, corbenator updated gallery picture DSC_0603 copy
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