The Old Stone Fort Marks the Heart of Nacogdoches History

In 1779, Antonio Gil Ibarvo led settlers back to an old Spanish mission site. He built a stone trading house there. That building became known as the Old Stone Fort. It was the center of trade and government for early Nacogdoches. The original structure stood until 1902.

A replica was built in 1936 during the Texas Centennial. It now stands on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. The building was part of some of the biggest events in early Texas history. Those include the Fredonian Rebellion of 1826 and the Battle of Nacogdoches in 1832.

Today it is open to visitors as a small museum. The Handbook of Texas, run by the Texas State Historical Association, has detailed history of the site.