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All the United States Texas San Antonio The Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum
AO Edited

The Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum

A National Historic Landmark with a scenic clock tower and park filled with deer and peacocks, plus a military museum.

San Antonio, Texas

Added By
Allison Meier
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Deer at the Quadrangle.   Allison Meier/Atlas Obscura
Deer at the Quadrangle.   Allison Meier/Atlas Obscura
Deer at the Quadrangle.   Allison Meier/Atlas Obscura
Peacocks at the Quadrangle.   Allison Meier/Atlas Obscura
  raffikatt/Flickr
The Quadrangle in an archive print   The University of Houston Digital Library/Wikimedia
  knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
  educatetexans / Atlas Obscura User
The Clocktower at The Quadrangle   Nan Palmero
Clocktower at The Quadrangle   Nan Palmero
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About

The imposing limestone Quadrangle shelters one of the most tranquil places in San Antonio. Built in 1876, it is the oldest building in Fort Sam Houston and has for over a century been both an integral Army center as well as a free and open wildlife garden.

The Quadrangle was the original fort at Sam Houston, and was designed without windows to better withstand attacks. It was originally a quartermaster’s depot, storing housing supplies, and later it became an arsenal for the US Army.

Then, for six weeks in 1886, the Apache leader Geronimo was held at the Quadrangle following his surrender. According to popular stories, the deer were brought to the Quadrangle to make Geronimo feel more at home. Another story has the deer being introduced for Geronimo and the thirty other captured Apaches to hunt, as they wouldn't eat the Army food. However, the truth of why the deer and other delicate animals were brought onto the military compound remains a mystery. Whatever the real story, they have been wandering the grassy square since before Geronimo's imprisonment.

The deer, rabbits, peacocks, and other birds walk freely in the grass and under the trees here, tame enough that many of them will crowd around visitors at the sight of food. At the center of the grounds is a brick clock tower with a plaque at its top commemorating the construction of the Quadrangle, although it’s too high for anyone to read.

Fort Sam Houston continues to serve as an active military base: The building is currently the headquarters for the United States Army North.

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Know Before You Go

Enter Fort Sam Houston through the Walters Gate. Visitors must present a driver's license.

Community Contributors

Added By

Allison

Edited By

Annetta Black, educatetexans, knoxium, nanpalmero

  • Annetta Black
  • educatetexans
  • knoxium
  • nanpalmero

Published

April 30, 2010

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Sources
  • http://www.informationsanantonio.com/toseeanddo/sanantonioattractions/quadranglesanantonio.html
  • http://www.texasescapes.com/SanAntonioTx/Quadrangle-Fort-Sam-Houston.htm
  • http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanantonio/A7655.html
The Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum
1405 E Grayson St
1400 East Grayson Street
San Antonio, Texas, 78234
United States
29.444537, -98.461435
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Grave of Pat the Horse

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Grave of Pat the Horse

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

U.S. Army Medical Department Museum

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Old Time Wooden Nickel Company

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

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