Established by the United States Army on December 5, 1848, Fort Martin Scott protected travelers and settlers against Indian attack. It was named in honor of Major Martin Scott, brevet lieutenant colonel of the 5th United States Infantry, who was killed at Molino del Rey on September 8, 1847. Its garrison took part in many Indian skirmishes. The fort was occupied intermittently after 1852, held by the Confederates from 1861 to 1865, and permanently abandoned in December 1866.