Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

Fort Sam Houston is in San Antonio. Also known as Fort Sam, it is the oldest active military base in Texas and one of the oldest active forts in the U.S. Army. Construction began June 7 1876, on ninety-three acres of land donated by the city. Rapid expansion took place 1879 - 1885, with forty-three acres and sixty buildings added. This included a building that replaced the old tent hospital. In 1890 the fort was named for Sam Houston, who led the Texas army during the revolution of 1836 and served as the the first President of The Republic of Texas. Houston was an intresting character to say the least.

Future President Teddy Roosevelt visited the fort in 1898 and recruited his 'Rough Riders' in the bar of the Menger Hotel. Before leaving for Cuba the men drew supplies from the forts Quartermaster stores.

On Feburary 15 1910 Lt. Benjamin Foulois brought the army's first airplace to the fort. He learned to fly by corresponding with the Wright Brothers. His plane, U.S. Army Aeroplane No. 1, can be seen at The National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

Read more about the fort here.

I'll try to get some pictures up tonight, but it may be tomorrow. There is a lot more research to be done.

 

[Bugman]

The Quadrangle is the oldest part of the fort. The great Apache warrior Geronimo and some of his men were held here while their fate was decided. The cannon is a replica of an M-1841 six pounder Field Gun.

 

[Bugman]

More pictures of The Quadrangle.

 

[Bugman]

Left to right.

An M-5 antitank gun. In the early days of WW II, the antitank guns in the army's inventory were woefully inadequate against German Panzers. To solve this problem high velocity 3" antiaircraft guns were mounted on carriages. The M-5 entered service late in 1942.

An M-59 APC, introduced in 1953.

An M-48 Patton tank, also introduced in 1953.

 

[kopfhorer]

Are the peafowl in one of the quadrangle shots wild or domesticated (I'm assuming the latter)?

 

[Bugman]

Are the peafowl in one of the quadrangle shots wild or domesticated (I'm assuming the latter)?

They seem tame enough but I would not try touching one. There are also ducks, geese and even whitetail deer roaming around, and you quickly learn to watch your step if you get my drift.

 

[Bugman]

Left to right.

An M-51 105mm howitzer. They were made in Yugoslovia; This one belonged to the Iraq army. It was captured by American forces in Feburary 1991, during the First Gulf War.

An M-1505 3" Field Gun.

An M-3 37mm antitank gun.

A Bell UH-1B Irquois helicopter, also known as a 'Huey.'

 

[Bugman]

Again, left to right.

The Pershing House.

The Foulois House.

The Mitchell House.

The Eisenhower House.

 

[Bugman]

The Army Medical Museum.
Last picture: Note the piece of wood on the left side of the center display case. This is part of a rafter from the hospital used at Valley Forge during that bitter winter of 1777 - 1778.

 

[Bugman]

This courtyard leads to the outside exhibits. This rail car was part of a hospital train that was in service during the Korean War, and to see one in original condition is very rare. From what I was told, only a handful are known to exist. The single bunk in the third picture would have been reserved to an officer.

 

[Bugman]

While visiting this rail car, I sensed the presence of the wounded, and of the doctors, nurses and aides who cared for them.

 

[Bugman]

First picture, an iconic Willys Jeep.

Another Jeep. A member of General MacArthur's staff called the Jeep the most versatile American vehicle of the war.

Last picture, an M-886 1 1/4 ton Dodge Ambulance.

 

[Bugman]

Fort Sam Houston occupies hundreds of acres, and has some 900 buildings. Maps are not provided, and I often got lost while driving around. One wrong turn led to Brooke Army Medical Center. Driving by the hospital I saw a woman pushing a wheelchair. Behind her was a young man who had lost both legs at the knees. With canes in both hands, he was learning to walk on his prosthetic legs. Seeing something like that in person drives home the true cost of war in a way few things can.

 

[milagros317]

Some really fascinating photographs here. Thanks for posting them. 😀

 

[paracarl44]

This courtyard leads to the outside exhibits. This rail car was part of a hospital train that was in service during the Korean War, and to see one in original condition is very rare. From what I was told, only a handful are known to exist. The single bunk in the third picture would have been reserved to an officer.

While visiting this rail car, I sensed the presence of the wounded, and of the doctors, nurses and aides who cared for them.

A restored Hospital Car is on display at The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. I walked through this car the day before I went on an Autumn Excursion to Taccao, Georgia (see my blog).

 

[Bugman]

Some really fascinating photographs here. Thanks for posting them. 😀

Glad you enjoyed them Mils.

A restored Hospital Car is on display at The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. I walked through this car the day before I went on an Autumn Excursion to Taccao, Georgia (see my blog).

Good to know Carl, thanks. I'll read your blog later.

 

[C.A.B.]

Very cool tutorial, BM. Very cool indeed.

 

[Bugman]

Very cool tutorial, BM. Very cool indeed.

Thanks C.A.B. I do love learning about things like this, and passing it on.

 

[paracarl44]

Again, left to right.

The Pershing House.

The Foulois House.

The Mitchell House.

The Eisenhower House.

^Did these people actually live in the homes that they are named for?^

 

[Bugman]

^Did these people actually live in the homes that they are named for?^

Yes, they did.

 

[paracarl44]

Again, left to right.

The Pershing House.

The Foulois House.

The Mitchell House.

The Eisenhower House.

^Did these people actually live in the homes that they are named for?^

Yes, they did.

^What was the rank of these people when they lived here?^

 

[Bugman]

^What was the rank of these people when they lived here?^

I know Pershing was already a general, because that home is where all commanding generals of Fort Sam have lived over the years.

Foulois was a full colonel, but retired as a major or lt. general, I forget which. Billy Mitchell was also a full colonel.

These homes are all occupied by high ranking officers. There is even a rear admiral living between the Foulois and Mitchell houses.

Eisenhower was stationed at Fort Sam twice. I think he was a colonel the first time, but might have made general by his second posting. His home is on a different street in another part of the fort.