Texas Porch

Military History

Fort Gates Came Before Gatesville

The U.S. Army built Fort Gates in 1849 on the Texas frontier, and its presence led directly to the founding of the county seat.

Coryell County History & Culture

Fort Gates was established in 1849 as a frontier post on the Leon River. It was part of a chain of forts meant to protect settlers from Comanche raids on the western edge of Texas settlement. The Army abandoned it in 1852 when the frontier line moved farther west.

Even after the fort closed, settlers stayed. When the Texas legislature created Coryell County in 1854, residents briefly used the old fort site as a county seat. They then voted to move the seat to a new townsite nearby, which they named Gatesville in honor of the old fort. The fort site is about one mile southeast of modern Gatesville on State Highway 36.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Fort Gates

More Coryell County notes

Property Tax Basics

Who Handles Property Taxes in Coryell County

Two separate offices handle property taxes here — one sets values, one collects the bill.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Tax Bill

If you live in your home as your main residence, you can apply for an exemption that reduces what you owe in property taxes.

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Ag Valuation

Lower Taxes for Farms and Wildlife Land

Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management can be taxed on its productive value instead of its market value — often a big savings.

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Vehicle Registration

No Emissions Test Required for Most Coryell Vehicles

Coryell County is not an emissions county, so most passenger vehicles skip the emissions test when registering.

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