Fort Leaton - Presidio, TX - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Fort Leaton is believed to have been built as an adobe residence in the 1830s by Juan Bustillos. In 1848, it was acquired by Benjamin Leaton, who lived in the structure and also used it as his trading post and fortress. As the only secure structure in the area, the complex served as the seat of government when Presidio County was formed. The fort changed hands several times (at least once when the owner was murdered) and was acquired by the County in 1930 (which failed to garner funds to restore the fort) and then by the State some years later. The complex is now part of Big Bend Ranch State Park and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The NHRP listing has some information that is a bit out of date; at the time the structure was listed it had not yet been restored. Today Fort Leaton serves as a museum, visitors center, and is the west entrance to Big Bend Ranch National Park.

Street address: FM 170 Presidio, TX USA 79845 County / Borough / Parish: Presidio, Texas Year listed: 1973 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Person, Information Potential Periods of significance: 1825-1849 Historic function: Defense Current function: Work In Progress Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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