Pecos Trail Region

(830) 563-2466

FRONTIER ARCHITECTURE

Although a nearby replica of the Alamo has served as stand-in for the real thing in movies and commercials for the last fifty years, Brackettville needs no facsimile when it comes to authentic buildings from the Texas frontier. Among Brackettville’s extensive collection of 19th century architecture are the Filippone Building constructed in 1885 by stonemasons Giovanni Filippone and Giovanni Cassinellli, the former county courthouse built in 1879 which served as post office and Masonic Lodge once a “newer” (1911) courthouse was completed, and the Sargent Hotel, built in the 1850’s from limestone blocks and now in private hands. The Sargent, in fact, offered meals and overnight accommodations to travelers along the San Antonio-San Diego stagecoach line. Nearby Fort Clark, established as frontier defense in the mid-1800s and now a residential resort, maintains some of the best frontier period architecture in the state. Beautifully restored officer’s quarters, cavalry barracks, and the guardhouse – the Fort’s museum – join a list of other historic sites around town including the Seminole Indian Scouts’ Cemetery. Brackettville is also southern gateway to Kickapoo Cavern State Park, a nearby natural area offering primitive cave tours and Mexican free-tailed bat flight observations.