Forts of the West: Military Forts and Presidios and Posts Commonly Called Forts West of the Mississippi River to 1898

In the introduction to this book, Frazer refers to his compilation of military forts as "brief biographies." Based on that description, the book is an excellent reference tool in identifying by name, location, length of service, and summary purpose all the known forts located west of the Mississippi River up to 1898. The book is arranged by state, with forts listed therein alphabetically. Although Frazer warns that locations are only approximate, they are still given with enough detail to place them fairly accurately on a topo map. When forts changed locations even by just a few miles (Ft. Hall, ID, for example), both forts are described. This is basically a listing, and most of the forts are detailed only briefly; when important events occurred, however, they are mentioned (Ft. Cobb, OK, for example, being attacked by Indians on October 23, 1862). Even forts that were unnamed or in existence for only a few months are included. I have used this book often, either for quick identification or as a stepping stone to more detailed investigations. The bibliography is one of the most thorough I've seen on the subject (36 pages long). The index is also very comprehensive, containing all the names and places mentioned in the text. As a reference tool for identifying forts and gleaming a brief account of their "biographies," Frazer's book is superb.

My hardback copy of this work was printed in 1977 and it shows the wear. It's tried repeatedly to sneak back out of view on my bookshelves, but I always hunt it down and bring it back to the front where it belongs. I've referred to it thousands of times in my researches, in addition to reading through it entirely on several occasions. The data concerning the openings and closings of the individual forts, the reasoning for the need for each and the mentions of events and units involved are all invaluable.This work has gone out of print several times through the years, but it always comes back and pays its own way for new readers.If you love the history of the west you need to own this book.

This book names the forts, presidios, and posts west of the Mississippi River to 1898, and not only does the author give the location but he gives some historical facts. If I had the money, I would take this book, get me a good travel map and visit each of the places mentioned! Last month I went to several Texas forts, an old Presidio and an Arizona fort. The book was invaluable!