The Fort Concho Infantry is a branch of the
education department of the Fort Concho Museum of the City of San Angelo, Texas. It was
founded in the spring of 1982 when six hardy souls (three museum staff and three board
members) attended the National Park Service's Indian Wars Camp of Instruction at Fort
Davis. Today, the unit's twenty-five members live in San Angelo and area communities
and work in various professions.According to its guidelines, the unit "shall portray the 16th U.S. Infantry of the late 1870s and early 1880s." Several companies of the 16th were stationed at Fort Concho during this period. The program also maintains two period army wagons, an ambulance and an escort wagon. An artillery piece, a three-inch ordnance rifle with a limber, is assigned to the infantry and program participants fire the gun throughout the year at demonstrations and special living history events.
The program's primary function is educational; its members participate in activities on and off the Fort Concho grounds to educate the public about life and activities of the Indian Wars army. The unit also takes part in community activities and celebrations. In the past five years, the unit has marched in parades, held training encampments, visited numerous Texas communities, and performed at many Fort Concho events.
The unit stores its uniforms and equipment in Enlisted Men's Barracks V, one of the museum's exhibit buildings that is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday, 1-5. This structure accurately recreates an infantry squad room from the early 1880s with period bunks and furnishings.
The Fort Concho Infantry is dedicated to authenticity in its uniforms, equipment, and infield programs. Late nineteenth century military rank and procedure are followed during an activity; a separate "out of uniform" organization allows all members participation in unit affairs. Fort Concho provides most of the necessary uniform and equipment for full participation, but it also encourages volunteers to collect their own replica gear. There are no fees or membership dues to be an active participant with the site's living history program.
For more information about the program contact the Fort Concho Infantry, Company Clerk, 630 South Oakes, San Angelo, Texas, 76903, call (325) 481-2646, or e-mail admin@fortconcho.com