Overlooking the headwaters of the San Saba River, Fort McKavett, a Texas Historical Commission property, consists of 19 restored buildings located on 80 acres near Menard. Several of the buildings have been refurbished with period furniture. Restored structures include the officers’ quarters, barracks, hospital, school house, dead house, sink and post headquarters. In addition, there are ruins of several buildings, most notably the commanding officer’s quarters, which burned in 1941, and the barracks along the north side of the parade ground, which once was the longest building west of the Mississippi River.
Interpretive exhibits in the 1870s hospital, which serves as the visitors center, trace the history of the Fort McKavett area, emphasizing military history, the post-military community and archeology. A quarter-mile, self-guided nature trail leads to the military lime kiln, rock quarry and Government Springs, Fort McKavett’s primary sources of drinking water and building supplies.