Fort Sam Houston
a.k.a. Port of San Antonio
N edge of San Antonio, San Antonio, TXSince 1879, when it replace the old post of San Antonio as the Army's principal southwestern U.S. supply base, Fort San Houston has been the focal point of military operations in that geographic region. The post has sustained other area, installations regularly and housed in succession the headquarters of the Department of Texas, Southern Department, 8th Corps area, 4th Army, and 5th Army. Furthermore Fort Sam Houston has played a significant role in numerous specific military operations and innovative activities. The post supplied the Rough Riders when they rendezvoused in San Antonio in 1898, furnished most of the men and material for Gen. John J. Pershing's campaign against Pancho Villa in 1915, and provided training facilities for thousands of troops during World War I. In 1910 Fort Sam Houston acquired the first airplane hanger in the Department of Texas, and during the next few years, Lt. Benny Foulois conducted serial trials there that led to the establishment of the signal Corps' aviation section. In addition post soldier experimented with important new infantry tactics in 1937 and 5 years later carried out the Army's first airborne maneuvers. Today Fort Sam Houston is a vital military installation serving a modern Army, but many of the historic officers quarters, barracks, and other buildings remain in use. Of particular interest is the Quadrangle (1879), the first permanent structure erected on the post. Fort San Houston is an open base and maintains a museum for the public.
Local significance of the district:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.