Bird's Fort, Texas
Bird's Fort was a community north of present-day Arlington, Texas (USA).[1][2] In 1841, when John Neely Bryan established Dallas, he invited the settlers at Bird's Fort to come live in his proposed city.[3]
Bird's Fort, Texas | |
|---|---|
Fort – Garrison | |
  Bird's Fort Location within Texas | |
| Coordinates: 32°47′56″N 97°5′0″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Tarrant |
| Built | 1841 |
| Founded by | Major Jonathan Bird, Fourth Brigade of Texas Militia |
| Elevation | 485 ft (148 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
History
The site was named for Major Jonathan Bird, who established a fort there in September 1841 along the Trinity River, for protection of the settlements along the Texas frontier.[4][5] The garrison was constructed after the battle of Village Creek which occurred on May 24, 1841.[6] Bird's Fort was occupied until March 1842 when the garrison was abandoned due to the threat of a Comanche attack.
The military installation was the site of the 1843 treaty negotiations between tribal Indians and Anglo settlements in the Red River counties.
On August 6, 1843, the ill-fated Snively Expedition was disbanded at Fort Bird.[7]
Bird's Fort was recognized as a Texas historic site in 1936.[1]
County development
Birdville, Texas, (in present-day Haltom City) was the first settlement in Tarrant County and was named after Bird's Fort.[8]
See also
References
- "Site of Bird's Fort – Arlington ~ Marker Number: 4731". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Texas Historical Commission. 1936.
- "Site of Bird's Fort – Arlington ~ Marker Numer: 4732". Texas Historic Sites Atlas. Texas Historical Commission. 1980.
- Harper, Cecil, Jr. "Bryan, John Neely". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 2006-04-20.
- Cutrer, Thomas W.: Fort Bird – TSHA Handbook of Texas
- Fort Tour Systems, Inc. – Bird’s Fort
- Frazier, Donald S.: Battle of Village Creek – TSHA Handbook of Texas
- Carroll, H. Bailey: Snively Expedition – TSHA Handbook of Texas
- Hart, Brian: Birdville, Texas – Handbook of Texas