Winter 2016

Fort Tr avis was the first fort officially established by the
Republic of Texas. Originally sited on Galveston Island and named
Fort Point, it was relocated to Bolivar Peninsula, renamed Fort
Travis (for Alamo Commander William Barrett Travis) near the site
of the now long-gone earthworks built by Dr. James Long and his
wife Jane Long.
The first known actual fort on that site was an earthen levee
constructed by the Spanish explorer Frances Xavier Mina in 1816.
Mexican rebels had utilized the site, only a few years before Jane
arrived in 1821. Later it became a Civil War fortification.
The present Fort Travis was built in 1898. U.S. Troops in both
World War I and World War II occupied it. Defended by four
batteries, its firepower ranged from two 12-inch guns mounted on
barbette carriages to three-inch rapid-fire guns.
Island—officially renamed the Jane Long Highway.
• Presented a portrait of Jane Long to the State Capital
in Austin where it now hangs with other distinguished
Texans.
• Helped institute extensive improvements at historic
Fort Travis, which now includes a historical Jane Long
Pavilion—with its three distinctive flags—the U.S. Flag,
the Texas State Flag and the famous Jane Long Red
(petticoat) Flag—that (it’s said) she used to trick the
Karankawa Indians into thinking the fort was still armed
with soldiers!
The success of six previous Jane Long Festivals triggered
an expansion to two days in 2016. This family-oriented
celebration is held the third Saturday in October at arguably
one of the most beautiful festival sites in the State of Texas,
Fort Travis Seashore Park. This site of Fort Travis on Bolivar’s
point has historically served American defenses from the
earliest days through both World Wars.
The total area, just east of the free Bolivar-Galveston ferry
landing, is an incredibly picturesque festival location, with
sweeping views of the Bolivar Lighthouse, Gulf of Mexico,
Galveston Bay, Galveston Island, and huge freighters heading
to and from the Houston Ship Channel.
The “Galveston Roads”—as that section is colloquially
called—are home to frequently sighted dolphins, Galveston’s
famous brown pelicans and numerous other shore birds
as well as cruise ships, shrimping and other fishing and
recreational boats.
Featured at the annual Jane Long Festival are well-known
pioneer and military re-enactors whose authentic campsites
and cannon firings are always popular with adults and
children alike as are the wide assortment of foods, games,
booths and vendors.
Highlighting the continuous stage entertainment are
always uniquely-changing family-oriented plays designed to
delight as well as educate about Jane Long.
After the Galveston hurricane of 1900, a 17-foot seawall was
constructed on Bolivar Peninsula’s Gulf side of the fort. German
prisoners of war were interned here during World War II. The
former batteries were then made available to the public during
hurricane emergencies. In 1960 the fort was designated an official
civil defense shelter.
The Jane Long Pavilion is sited in front of the fort on the Jane
Long Highway (SH 87). It is very much a tribute to those who have
worked so hard to rebuild Bolivar Peninsula after the devastation of
Hurricane Ike.
Jane Long Society’s mission is to keep that spirit of survival alive
and bring attention to Fort Travis which itself suffered severe
Ike damage to the historic bunkers and other fortifications. The
Society is a subcommittee of the Bolivar Peninsula Historical
Foundation.
Details on the annual Jane Long Festival and associated activities
can be found on Society’s website: JaneLongFestival.org.