Fort Chadbourne was established by the United States Army on October 28, 1852, to protect frontier settlers against Indians. It was named in honor of Lieutenant T.L. Chadbourne, who was killed at Resaca de la Palma on May 9, 1846. Federal troops occupied it from 1852 to 1859 and again from 1865 to 1867. It was also an important station on the Butterfield Overland stage route from 1858 to 1861.