Fort Richardson State Park
Deer seen while driving into the campground
Fort Richardson State Historical Park, located northwest of Fort
Worth in Jack County, contains 402.2 acres. The property was acquired in 1968 from the
City of Jacksboro and was opened to the public the same year.
The Park's History:
Fort Richardson was established in November 1867. Fort Richardson was named in honor of
General Israel B. Richardson, who died in the Battle of Antietam during the Civil War. The
fort was the northernmost of a line of Federal Forts established after the Civil War. The
soldiers arrived in Jacksboro in 1866 with orders to establish a fort at Buffalo Springs,
20 miles north of Jacksboro. Due to unhealthy conditions at Buffalo Springs and the
constant Indian raids, the fort was abandoned. The soldiers returned to Jacksboro and
eventually received orders to establish a fort on the South Bank of Lost Creek.
Expeditions sent from Fort Richardson arrested Indians responsible for the Warren Wagon
Train Massacre in 1871 and fought Comanches in Palo Duro Canyon. The Fort was abandoned in
May 1878.
Park Activities:
Fort site structures include seven of the original buildings which have been restored: the
post hospital; the officers' quarters (Commanding Officer); a powder magazine; a morgue; a
commissary; a guardhouse; and a bakery, which baked 600 loaves per day. There are also two
replicas: officers' and enlisted men's barracks. The officers' barracks houses the
Interpretive Center. Activities include historical study, picnicking, camping, fishing,
hiking, nature study, and wading in the creek.
Tours/Events:
Guided historical tours are held at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and by appointment;
tour fees apply.
Special events held throughout the year include Military Re-enactments (pictured above),
Bar-B-Que Cookoff, a Frontier Festival, a Trout fishing Tournament, and Living History
Presentations.
The Park's Facilities:
There are screened shelters; campsites with water and electricity; hike-in primitive
sites; picnic sites; a lighted group picnic pavilion; restrooms with and without showers;
volleyball court; horseshoe pits; a trailer dump station; Prickly Pear Trail for hiking in
the open prairie land for 1.7 miles; a nature walk, which follows Lost Creek for 1/4 mile;
and a Texas State Park Store. Fishing is allowed in the 8-acre Quarry Lake located by park
headquarters. Construction is expected to be completed in 1998 on an 11-mile hike, bike,
and equestrian multi-use trail.
Flora/Fauna:
Quarry Lake is stocked with catfish, bass, and trout periodically during the year.
Directions:
To reach the park, travel 1/2 mile south of Jacksboro on US Highway 281.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: 3350. Weather: Average January minimum 32; average July maximum 97; average
annual rainfall 28. Open: Open 7 days a week year round; no gate. Busy Season: Spring and
fall.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Possum Kingdom, Lake Arrowhead, and Lake Mineral Wells State
Parks, Jack County Museum, Lake Jacksboro and Lost Creek Reservoir (both within 4 miles of
the park), the City of Wichita Falls, and the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex area.
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations call 512/389-8900. For more details,
call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.