Fort Croghan Grounds & Museum, Burnet

Fort Croghan was constructed here in the 1840s, one of eight forts built from the Rio Grande to the Trinity Rivers to protect the region from Indian attack. The fort remained active until decomissioned in 1853.

Today the park transports visitors back to these frontier days; travelers can take a walking tour of the fort, the blacksmith shop, the powder house, and a two-room cabin where one family raised 10 children. The museum includes a collection of household items from the region.

The museum and these grounds are interesting to visit on weekends but they particularly spring to life twice a year when reenactors arrive for Fort Croghan Day and Christmas at Fort Croghan. Fort Croghan Day is always scheduled for the second Saturday in October and includes demonstrations of daily life in frontier times. Christmas at Fort Croghan is the second Saturday night in December, a special time when the cabins are lit by simple frontier decorations and cabin "residents" invite travelers to step inside for some Christmas cookies and hot cider.

Location: 703 Buchanan Drive (TX 29 West). From US 281, turn west onto TX 29 and continue to the western edge of town.

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