United States
Texas (TX)
Fredericksburg
Things to Do in Fredericksburg
Fort Martin Scott
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Fort Martin Scott

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Fort Martin Scott
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About
Western frontier fort built in the 1840's is today a museum.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
96 within 3 miles
Dutchman’s Market
11
463 ft$$ - $$$
Hill Country Chocolate
1
0.3 mi
Asian Garden
71
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Domino's Pizza
14
0.7 mi$ • Quick Bites • Pizza • Fast Food
The Club
54
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Taqueria Altos de Jalisco
56
0.8 mi$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Latin
Whataburger
68
1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
Fredericksburg Mini-Donut Co.
6
1.2 mi$ • American
Navajo Grill
618
1.4 mi$$$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Sonic Drive Inn
18
1.2 miQuick Bites • Fast Food
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Attractions
64 within 6 miles
Texas Rangers Heritage Center
53
0.1 miChildren's Museums • History Museums
National Museum of the Pacific War
3,841
2 miMilitary Museums • History Museums
Grape Creek Vineyards on Main
623
2.2 miWineries & Vineyards
Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center
331
2.1 miVisitor Centers
St. Mary's Catholic Church
280
2.6 miChurches & Cathedrals
Rockbox Theater
797
2.2 miTheaters
Pioneer Museum
386
2.7 miSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
Main Street
2,054
2.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Texas Heritage Vineyard
15
0.8 miWineries & Vineyards
Wildseed Farms
1,557
Farms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
32
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
M J
Austin, TX7,978 contributions
Certainly worth a 30 minute stop and it is free
Dec 2021
My husband and I went to Fort Martin Scott Historical Site on a Wednesday in December. The fort was an active outpost from 1848 to 1853. It was 1 of 7 forts established to protect settlers after the Mexican War. The fort originally had 6 officer's quarters, 3 enlisted men's barracks, warehouse, barn, blacksmith shop, store, laundry, bake house, hospital and guardhouse. Today, there is 1 original guardhouse, realistic reproduction of 2 officer's quarters, a jailhouse and store. We parked next door in the large Texas Ranger Heritage Center parking lot. The Fort is open Thursday – Monday 10 am – 5 pm. We enjoyed self-toured the fort alone for 30 minutes and there was no charge. This is one more reason to visit Fredericksburg.
Written December 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JohnTSanAntone
San Antonio, TX337 contributions
Army History in Fredericksburg
Dec 2021
Great opportunity to see what life was like in a frontier fort during the mid 1800s. Quite a few buildings are restored like they would have looked in the 1800s. The local volunteers gave an excellent presentation in the visitor center on what life was like for both soldiers and locals back then.
Written December 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
goseedo
South Dakota289 contributions
Learn Something New!
Nov 2021
What a surprising stop in Fredericksburg. Stroll the grounds, read the signage, enter the (few) buildings, and chat with the Visitor Center representative, which will provide you with good context of the Fort, as well as the general history of the time period -- and the relationships between American Indians and German (and other) settlers in the area. The Fort was one of seven posts built to provide protection for the settlers and those passing through in the mid-1800s. After it was no longer in use, the land and buildings were purchased by a German family, whose story is also told here. Be sure to check out the Treaty Stone within the Visitor Center.

The site is free. Parking is ample (right by the road). The Visitor Center is currently open only certain hours, but you can walk the grounds even when it's closed. It would be fine to bring children, and it appears that dog-walking is also acceptable on the paths. Budget 30 to 90 minutes for your visit. Right next door is the Texas Rangers Heritage Center and, as the Rangers now oversee Fort Martin Scott, I'd bet the site will be further improved as time goes on. Go, and you will likely learn something you didn't know before! It's so vital to preserve as much of our history as possible.
Written November 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pasherry
United States1,023 contributions
Not much to see
Mar 2021 • Couples
Fort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost that was active from December 5, 1848, until April, 1853. It was part of a line of frontier forts established to protect travelers and settlers within Texas. This historical site is managed by the city of Fredericksburg. There is a visitors center manned by a volunteer that can give you information about this free site. The signs along the paths are so faded that many are hard to read. Some of the buildings are not open and overall there is a feeling of neglect. It might be more interesting when they have re-enactments, otherwise you can see everything in less than an hour.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Haley
Whitney, TX56 contributions
A quiet but nice visit
Jun 2020
We went during Summer 2020, so it looked like some things may not have been available due to COVID-19. However, I still enjoyed this small but informative landmark, something not to skip over in Fredericksburg!
Written November 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul E
Texas235 contributions
short visit
Oct 2020
Underdeveloped frontier army post exhibit. Visitor center has limited hours. Admission is free. One may stroll the circular walk easily in a half hour. Many of the exhibit sign boards are in poor condition and need repair.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Curtis P
Tulsa, OK313 contributions
Great Scott! A Fort!
Mar 2020
I decided to visit Fredericksburg to see the WWII museum. After a long drive from Tulsa, we were ready to arrive when I noticed the fort as I past by it. I turned around stopped and took lots of photos. I noticed a Living History event taking place, so decided to come back later which I did, and see it all, and talk with the reenactors. I learned that General Longstreet, one of Lee's corp commanders had been commander of the fort before the war. I actually stopped at it 3 times while I was in town.
Written March 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ACE9697
Edinburg, VA62 contributions
Definitely worth checking out
Oct 2019 • Friends
If you're into history or enjoy the idea of rustic living this place is definitely worth checking out. Nice walking paths, buildings to go in and see how officers lived and ruins. Modern bathrooms located at the visitor center along with a nice gift shop. This wasn't a planned stop but we were pleasantly surprised.
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1234texas
Seabrook, TX2,402 contributions
Not a lot of history, but some really nice structures
Aug 2019
From what I can gather, most of the fort has long since disintegrated, but the recreations look and feel much like the buildings of the time frame. It is good to see an effort to re-create the buildings of the past to help future generations understand how the structures were built and how they were used.

This is not a primary reason to visit Fredericksburg, but it is nice. If you are interested in architecture of the time frame, Fredericksburg is a great stop. The Germans that built the town were very good at what they did--the architecture is wonderful. The old homes in the downtown area are well worth a walking tour. There are a number of the old farm houses still in existence on the outskirts of town. Some of the churches are wonderful!
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tammy C
Mineral Wells, TX32 contributions
Hidden gem of Texas forts
Jun 2019 • Friends
You might not notice Ft. Martin Scott as you drive past while entering Fredericksburg,TX. But stopping in is worth your time. It is the only fort that made peace with the fearsome Commanche & Lipan Apache tribes, thus ensuring there would never be any bloodshed between them, the Army posted there ,nor the German settlers. The enormous oak trees speadvtheir shade among the buildings that bring history to life. MUST SEE!
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Fort Martin Scott (Fredericksburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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