- In The Flat’s stores, dance halls and “dens of iniquity,” a passer-by could encounter notorious characters such as Wyatt Earp, John H. “Doc” Holliday, “Bat” Masterson, John Larn, John Selman, “Big Nose” Kate Elder, or “The Poker Queen” Lottie Deno.
- From 1876 to 1885, thousands of Texas longhorns carved the Great Western Cattle Trail from San Antonio, through Fort Griffin, and on to Dodge City, Kansas. Today, descendants of this legendary breed are located at Fort Griffin. Through careful management and breeding, only animals showing the truest longhorn characteristics are retained in the herd.
- In 1872, a military inspection was conducted at Fort Griffin and the post was declared “unfit for human habitation.” This was primarily due to the fact that many of the buildings on the frontier fort offered minimal protection from the elements because they were built with rawhide lumber, which had a tendency to warp and crack. Ironically, the fort remained in operation for another nine years after the inspection.
- The history of Fort Griffin is commemorated annually in the Fort Griffin Fandangle, an outdoor musical based on the pioneer chronicles of West Texas. In production since 1938, the Fandangle is staged in an acre-sized amphitheater with a cast and crew of more than 400 Albany locals. The six performances, which occur on the last two weekends in June, are attended by more than 10,000 people each year.
Last updated: 11/10/2009 9:22:20 AM