History & Hauntings of Fort Brown, Texas
Fort Brown, a site steeped in history and whispered tales of the supernatural, stands in present-day Brownsville, Texas. Its story is one of military campaigns, societal upheaval, and enduring mysteries, making it a fascinating subject for historians and ghost enthusiasts alike. Established in 1846, Fort Brown holds the distinction of being the first U.S. military post in Texas, a strategic foothold in a region contested by both the United States and Mexico.
The seeds of its creation were sown in March 1846, when Brigadier General Zachary Taylor arrived at the contested territory. Tasked with asserting U.S. claims, Taylor’s forces erected an earthen fortification, initially christened "Fort Texas." This rudimentary structure, hastily built, became the focal point of escalating tensions between the two nations. When Taylor strategically redeployed a significant portion of his troops to Point Isabel (now Port Isabel) to secure supply lines, he left behind a smaller garrison to maintain control of the fort, placing Major Jacob Brown in command. This calculated move, however, presented an opportunity for the Mexican Army.
Exploiting Taylor’s reduced presence, the Mexican Army launched an assault on the fort. Part of their force was dispatched to engage the main body of Taylor’s troops as they returned from Point Isabel, creating a two-pronged attack designed to overwhelm the American forces. Despite being outnumbered and facing relentless bombardment, Major Brown and his men valiantly defended their position, enduring a siege that tested their resolve and resilience.
The tides turned with the arrival of Taylor’s forces. On May 8, 1846, Taylor decisively defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of Palo Alto, followed by another victory at Resaca de la Palma the next day. These engagements marked the opening salvos of the Mexican-American War, a conflict that would reshape the geopolitical landscape of the region. The battles were critical, marking some of the most significant clashes ever fought on U.S. soil. Faced with defeat, the Mexican Army retreated across the Rio Grande, relinquishing their hold on the territory and paving the way for the expansion of U.S. influence. In honor of Major Jacob Brown, who tragically lost his life defending the fort during the siege, "Fort Texas" was renamed Fort Brown, a lasting tribute to his courage and sacrifice.
The narrative of Fort Brown is intertwined with the tumultuous events of the American Civil War. With Texas’ secession from the Union, Federal troops abandoned the fort, leaving it vulnerable to Confederate forces. Colonel John "Rip" Ford and his troops seized the opportunity, occupying the fort until 1863. The control of the fort changed hands again when Union forces, led by General Nathaniel P. Banks, drove out the Confederates and briefly established a camp at the site. However, Confederate forces under General J. S. Slaughter and Colonel Ford mounted a counter-offensive in 1864, reclaiming the area and holding the post until the war’s conclusion. This back-and-forth control underscores the strategic importance of the fort during this period of national division.
In 1867, a new chapter began with the construction of a permanent fort under the supervision of Captain William A. Wainwright. This marked a transition from temporary fortifications to a more substantial military installation. For decades, Fort Brown remained an active military post, often manned by regiments of Buffalo Soldiers, African American soldiers who served with distinction in the U.S. Army. These soldiers played a vital role in maintaining peace and order in the region, facing not only external threats but also the prejudices and discrimination of the time.
The early 20th century brought further challenges to Fort Brown and the surrounding community. The Brownsville Raid, which occurred on August 13 and 14, 1906, cast a dark shadow over the post. During the raid, unknown individuals indiscriminately opened fire on the town, resulting in one death and another injury. Suspicion quickly fell upon the Buffalo Soldiers stationed at Fort Brown, leading to a controversial investigation. Despite conflicting evidence, the Secretary of War, William H. Taft, ordered the dishonorable discharge of all 168 black soldiers, a decision that would later be recognized as a grave injustice. It took over 60 years for a second investigation to be conducted, ultimately exonerating the soldiers and restoring their honor, though only two of the original 168 men were still alive to witness the vindication.
Fort Brown also played a role in the early days of military aviation. On April 20, 1915, the first U.S. military airplane to be attacked by hostile fire took off from the fort. Piloted by Officers Byron Q. Jones and Thomas Millings, the plane was on a reconnaissance mission to monitor the movements of Mexican Revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Although the plane did not cross the border into Mexico, it came under fire from machine guns and small arms, highlighting the dangers faced by early military aviators.
The post remained active through World War II, serving as a training ground and staging area for troops. However, in 1944, the fort was decommissioned, marking the end of its active military service. In 1948, the land was acquired by the City of Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, transforming the former military installation into an educational hub. The fort buildings were sold or donated to various organizations and schools in the Brownsville area. Today, several buildings from the post-Civil War era remain, many of which are located on the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost Jr. College campuses, serving as a tangible link to the fort’s rich history. A small portion of the original earthwork fort also remains, offering a glimpse into its humble beginnings.
Beyond its historical significance, Fort Brown is also known for its purported hauntings, adding another layer of intrigue to its already compelling story.
One of the most well-known haunted locations is the area surrounding Oxbow Lake on the University of Texas/Texas Southmost College campus. An island in the lake was once the site of a National Cemetery. However, in 1909, approximately 3,800 bodies were exhumed and relocated to Alexandria, Louisiana. Following the cemetery’s removal, the island underwent a transformation, becoming a hub for hotels and retail stores. Eventually, the college campuses took over the area, and it is now home to several dormitories known as the "Village at Fort Brown." Residents of the "village" have reported numerous strange occurrences, including lights, televisions, and water faucets turning on and off seemingly on their own. They have also claimed to have witnessed apparitions, such as a small gnome-like black figure that leaves behind a sulfur-like smell, a small boy and girl who have been seen playing, and another young boy who has been seen in the Resaca area wearing 19th-century clothing.
The former fort morgue, which was connected to a storage building in 1940, now serves as office space for Texas Southmost College. Though the identity of the spirit haunting the building remains unknown, its presence is widely felt. During the fort’s active years, Dr. William Gorgas extensively used the morgue to dissect bodies in a desperate attempt to find a cure for Yellow Fever. Staff members have reported odd phenomena, such as electrical appliances turning on by themselves, small objects levitating, and a constant feeling of being watched. One staff member even claimed to have had her hair pulled by an unseen entity. Others have reported capturing anomalies in their photographs, including a solid dark image.
The former Post Hospital, now known as Gorgas Hall, which serves as the Administration Building for the campus, is another hotspot for paranormal activity. During the 1880s, the hospital treated numerous patients suffering from Yellow Fever, many of whom succumbed to the disease. A ward on the second floor of the building was specifically used for violent patients. Witnesses have reported seeing the faces of former patients peering from the windows, often captured on film but not visible to the naked eye. Some have also claimed to see a "face" appear on the surface of the brick wall. Other reports include sightings of spirits roaming throughout the building, including a doctor, a couple of nurses, and a mourning woman dressed in black. Faint voices, footsteps, and other unexplainable noises are consistently heard in the building, along with doorknobs that move on their own and objects that mysteriously relocate.
The 1904 Commissary/Guardhouse building, currently used as an art building, also has a reputation for hauntings. The basement features metal-grated cell gates where prisoners were once held. Art students have reported missing or damaged projects, cold drafts, distant voices, the sensation of being touched by unseen entities, and the sound of scraping metal outside the building.
The Little Chapel, dating back to 1868, has its own share of ghostly tales. Despite being moved from its original location, the spectral phenomena apparently followed. Unearthly footsteps, inexplicable shadows, and unexplained movements have been reported within the chapel.
The Arnulfo L. Oliveira Memorial Library is another site of paranormal activity, with stories dating back decades. One of the most well-known tales involves a night janitor who stepped outside the library and witnessed what appeared to be the entire fort still in operation, complete with cavalry soldiers on horseback and infantry soldiers marching on the former parade grounds. Other claims include sightings of a young girl in 19th-century attire on the second floor, an evil phantom of an adult male who also appears on the second floor, and a dark shadowy figure. Staff members have also reported items being mysteriously rearranged, sudden chills, fans turning on and off on their own, and the sounds of creaks and rattling on the second floor.
Ghost hunters who have investigated these buildings have corroborated many of these tales, capturing strange anomalies on film and recording unexplained voices. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the stories surrounding Fort Brown add an undeniable mystique to this historic site. The tales of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena serve as a reminder of the countless lives that have passed through its gates, leaving their mark on the land and the collective memory of the community.