fort leaton

cajrt

Fort Leaton is a nice short stop if you are driving the River Road (Texas FM 170) from Lajitas, TX through Big Bend Ranch to Presidio, Texas. The small museum and restored adobe fort (private not built by the US Military) gives you a sense of life and commerce in the Big Bend region during the mid 1800s. It's worth of a stop if you have an interest in the history and strive of the region.

llittle

on the drive along the rio grande, just east of presidio, tx, you will find this state park. they have done a lot of restoration, and it is interesting to walk through. it's history is also interesting. don't miss the drive from presidio to study butte[makes no difference which way you drive it.]

Nicemeany

Lotsa history on display. Restoration is progress shows how much work has to be done to maintain this huge adobe complex. Ranger Dave is a wealth of knowledge about not only the fort but also the entire Big Bend State Park region. Many photo opportunities to choose from. Well-maintained rest rooms. Geo-cache on site. You'll go to take a much needed break from driving but then stay to take in all that is offered, Don't overlook this historic site---definitely worth a visit!

Texans112

If you purchase entrance to the Big Bend State Park, you can tour the fort with the same pass for free. This is a nice bathroom break and good stop on the drive to Presidio. Spent about 45 minutes here touring the facility. They have done a good job restoring the area and staff are helpful.

LibbyT925

This is a huge stockade that was NOT built by the army. An individual built it for trade purposes. Since being donated to the state, it has been repaired. Interesting to see the design and learn about the families that lived there.

Rezaul2014

the hotel service is excellent and all staffs behaviours is so kind manner.the food of hotel is good

TXRVer09

Fort Leaton is one of the most southern forts in Texas, and is just east of Presidio. Most of the Fort is in good repair, and efforts are underway to restore it to its original condition. This fort is unusual as it was first built as a trading post by a scoundrel, who capitalized its location as a way stop on the Chihuahuan Trail.The museum details the cross border history and how the people living on each side of the border were dependent on and related to each other.Be sure to ask Ranger Dave about people he has met who used to live in the fort. Also, he has a wealth of knowledge of the fort’s construction and the archeological work done there. He loves to tell his informative stories and does so in a most entertaining way.

76melindag

Fort Leaton is a good place to stop and stretch your legs, only 4 miles east of Presidio. The park rangers are very informative and friendly. This is an old trading post that the Texas Parks & Wildlife saved and restored. You can check in here if you are going to Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park is right down the beautiful, scenic River Road, along the Rio Grande River dividing Texas & Mexico. Be sure to stop for a visit!

Janis857

Great peek into a Private Fort built by merchant prior to the Mexican revolution, when Pancho Villa fought a key battle near Presidio. Exhibits include history of Mexican Revolution, history of people over the centuries in the area, and a little bit of everything including a giant wooden ox cart (wheels 8-10 feet tall) that the merchants used to use to bring things down from Marfa, rolling down a dry creek bed over a hundred miles. Definitely worth the $5 entrance fee - great guide with lots of oral history to share.

leroys73

This is not a bad stop. We needed to use the RR. There is a $3.00 fee to go through the fort. A person could picnic there or just rest. It was clean.

mercynurse62

Stopped by after one of our walks in the state park, a surprising little respite. Picinic area, which we took advantage of, near parking. Self guided tour avaliable, a ranger that is VERY knowledgable about the Fort history as well as area and TX history, and reproductions of furniture that appear very real.Well worth a short stop if you're in the area.

DavisK270

Fort Leaton was meant to be a quick stop to break up a much longer road trip. The fort was not an official military installation (though they used it often) it functioned as Benjamin Leaton's home and a trading post.We were greeted by Ranger Dave Lewis who was happy to fill us in on all the archeological and restoration work that was done to bring the fort up to its current condition. He gave us the self-guided tour brochure and directed us to the exhibits. Once we were done he walked along with us through the fort and told us all about the history and geology of the area and the back story of murder and intrigue involving Leaton's son and the elder Leaton's sometime business partner John Burgess.Depending on your interests and whether or not Ranger Lewis is on duty the day you arrive, you could spend anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple hours at the fort.

Bips

I walked in and saw how perfectly the structure was and decided it had been rebuilt, but the artifacts and story were still interesting so I enjoyed it. That is until I was leaving and started reading all the monuments around the entrance. Three, erected in the 30's, tell an interesting history and give homage to a variety of people. One, erected in the '70's I think, says in essence not to believe the story or history written on the other three. The whole thing remains a mystery I would love to have solved if anyone reading this wants to clarify.