At the site of the former Fort Elliott in Mobeetie, Texas, stands a striking 22-foot steel arrow sculpture. This impressive installation is part of the Quanah Parker Trail, a series of 88 similar arrows scattered across 52 counties in the Texas Plains region. Each arrow marks a site significant to the history of the Comanche people and their last war chief, Quanah Parker. The trail was created to honor the cultural heritage of the Comanche Nation and educate the public about Quanah Parker’s enduring legacy.
The arrows, designed to appear as if they have landed from flight, serve as visual markers guiding visitors to explore the historical sites tied to the Comanche and their interactions with settlers and the U.S. military. The arrow at Fort Elliott is particularly meaningful, as it not only commemorates the fort’s military history but also acknowledges the complex and often turbulent relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government during the late 19th century. Fort Elliott, established in 1875, played a key role in enforcing the terms of the Red River War, which aimed to relocate the Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne onto reservations.
The sculptures were created by Charles A. Smith, a metalworker and cotton farmer from New Home, Texas. Smith’s collaboration with the Quanah Parker Trail initiative has resulted in a unique form of public art that blends history and creativity. The arrows have become landmarks in their own right, encouraging travelers to reflect on the rich and often difficult history of the Texas Plains while following the trail of Quanah Parker’s legacy.
Visitors to the Fort Elliott site can experience this powerful connection to history firsthand, standing beneath the arrow and imagining the events that shaped the American frontier. The combination of art and history creates a meaningful tribute to the resilience and influence of the Comanche people and their legendary leader.
Fort Elliott, established on June 5, 1875, was a key United States Army post in the eastern Texas Panhandle. Its primary mission was to protect settlers and maintain order in the aftermath of the Red River War, which aimed to relocate Native American tribes such as the Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne onto reservations. The fort was named after Major Joel H. Elliott, who was killed in the Battle of Washita River in 1868. Fort Elliott became an important base for military operations and played a central role in the early development of the nearby settlement known as Sweetwater, which was later renamed Mobeetie. This town grew into the first established community in the Texas Panhandle, serving as a hub for buffalo hunters and cattle drivers.
Before Fort Elliott was established, the Battle of Sweetwater Creek occurred on September 12, 1874, during the Red River War. Major William R. Price led around 200 U.S. troops who encountered a force of approximately 400 Kiowa and Comanche warriors between Sweetwater Creek and the Dry Fork of the Washita River. The skirmish resulted in two Native American fatalities and six wounded. The site of the battle, located about two miles north of present-day Mobeetie on State Route 48, has been recognized for its historical significance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fort Elliott remained operational until October 20, 1890, when it was decommissioned as the need for a military presence in the area declined. Today, the site is marked by historical markers, and remnants of the fort, including the original flagpole, are preserved at the Old Mobeetie Jail Museum. These reminders of Fort Elliott’s legacy serve as enduring symbols of the region’s complex history and the clash of cultures that shaped the American frontier.
Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Elliott: Guardians of the Texas Panhandle
One of the fort’s most significant contributions came from the Buffalo Soldiers—African American regiments in the U.S. Army. Throughout Fort Elliott’s 15 years of operation, it hosted companies from the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments, which were composed entirely of African American soldiers led by white officers.
The Buffalo Soldiers stationed at Fort Elliott were tasked with protecting settlers and securing the frontier. Their duties included patrolling the borders of Indian Territory, preventing unauthorized hunting parties from entering the Texas Panhandle, and pursuing Native American groups who had left their reservations. In addition to maintaining order, they played a crucial role in protecting cattle herds along the trails, which helped establish the large ranching industry that became a cornerstone of the region’s economy by the 1880s.
One of the most notable figures among the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Elliott was Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper, the first African American graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, Flipper served as the fort’s adjutant and demonstrated remarkable engineering skills. He led the construction of telegraph lines across the Canadian River, significantly improving communication in the remote Texas Panhandle. Flipper’s success at Fort Elliott marked an important milestone for African Americans in the military and reflected the growing impact of the Buffalo Soldiers on the American frontier.
The presence of the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Elliott not only contributed to the security and development of the Texas Panhandle but also represented a significant chapter in African American military history. Their bravery and dedication helped pave the way for greater acceptance of African Americans in the U.S. military while highlighting their essential role in shaping the American West. Today, the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers remains a vital part of Fort Elliott’s history and the broader story of the American frontier.
