DUANE
Duane's take
The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of Fort Lipantitlan — and it's one worth slowing down for. On this very site, in 1831, soldiers of the Mexican army moved in. Their mission was plain: prevent further Anglo-American colonization in Texas.
They planted a fort here in Nueces County, and for a time, it held. But 1835 was coming. And with it, volunteers.
On November 4th of that year, Captain Ira Westover led those volunteers in and captured Fort Lipantitlan. Just like that. A fort built to hold a line — taken.
Now you might think that would be the end of it. But this place had more story left in it. June 7, 1842.
Seven hundred men under General Antonio Canales came against the fort. Seven hundred. And on the other side of those walls?
One hundred and ninety-two men under General James Davis. You do the arithmetic in your head and you already know which way the odds were pointing. And yet — Canales and his seven hundred walked away unsuccessful.
One hundred and ninety-two men held. The fort is gone now, but the ground remains. Five acres surrounding the site were donated to the State of Texas by the heirs of J.C.
Bluntzer in 1937. A gift of land, so the story wouldn't disappear entirely into the brush. Seven hundred couldn't take it.
The years finally quieted it. But the land remembers.
What the marker says
Occupied in 1831 by soldiers of the Mexican army to prevent further Anglo-American colonization in Texas. Captured November 4, 1835 by volunteers under Captain Ira Westover. Unsuccessfully attacked June 7, 1842 by 700 men under Gen. Antonio Canales while defended by 192 men under General James Davis. Five acres of land surrounding the site of the fort were generously donated to the State of Texas by the heirs of J.C. Bluntzer in 1937. Erected by the State of Texas 1936