How we got here
There is already a state-recognized historical marker dedicated to Kenney Fort about a half mile away on Palm Valley Boulevard. However, the new marker will be closer to the actual location of Kenney Fort and include more information, according to a city of Round Rock news release.
Built in 1839 by Dr. Thomas Kenney, the shelter marks the first permanent settlement in Williamson County used by early pioneers. The wooden fort was built of elm and hackberry, and it housed as many as 15 people, according to city documents.
“Kenney Fort is noteworthy for Williamson County and for the state of Texas because that was the location of the Texas Archives War, and also the Texas Santa Fe Expedition began its [route] from there,” Round Rock Preservation President Judy Anderson said.
Anderson said many of those who fought in the Battle of San Jacinto settled in the area surrounding Kenney Fort.
The details
The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., at 2351 Centennial Loop in Round Rock. The event is free and open to the public.
“There is a wealth of history in Williamson County,” Anderson said. “If those places were not marked for us to know about, it would be lost to our children and our grandchildren, and so on. It is important that we honor the history of this area and honor those that came before us.”
Find more information on Kenney Fort, the Texas Archives War, the Texas Santa Fe Expedition and other early Round Rock history here.
