FORT PARKER. Fort Parker was a private fort built by Silas M. and James W. Parkerqqv near the headwaters of the Navasota River in Limestone County, between old Springfield and the present site of Groesbeck, in 1834 or 1835. It may have also been known as Fort Sterling. Cabins were built at the fort to be occupied by nearby families in case of Indian attack. The outer walls of the cabins were part of a surrounding stockade perforated with loopholes for defense. On May 19, 1836, the fort was attacked by 500 to 700 Caddo and Comanche Indians. Silas was killed, and his nine-year-old daughter, Cynthia Ann, and six-year-old son, John, Mrs. Rachel Plummer and her son James, and Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg were captured by the Indians. A replica of the fort was erected at Fort Parker State Recreation Area,qv eight miles southwest of Mexia on State Highway 14 in Limestone County.
See also PARKER, CYNTHIA ANN, and PARKER, JOHN.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: James T. DeShields, Border Wars of Texas, ed. Matt Bradley (Tioga, Texas, 1912; rpt., Waco: Texian Press, 1976). Joseph Carroll McConnell, West Texas Frontier (Vol. 1, Jacksboro, Texas, 1933; Vol. 2, Palo Pinto, Texas, 1939). Ray Miller, Ray Miller's Texas Forts (Houston: Cordovan, 1985).
Art Leatherwood
