Historical Markers of Texas logo

Historical Markers of Texas

Back to Harris County

Site of Confederate Prison Compound

Houston, Harris County

Marker Text

Before 1861, site of warehouse serving Buffalo Bayou shipping. At times during 1861-65, the building here housed prisoners of war. In Jan. 1863 it held 350 Federals captured by Houston-based Confederate army of Gen. John B. Magruder. The city also had two other compounds where prisoners of war were held. Among many Houston enterprises vital to the Confederacy were troop training fields, military hospitals, an ammunition depot, two foundries, five railroads. City was headquarters for the Military District of Texas, which included Arizona and New Mexico.

Marker Details

Address 150 Girard Street
Location Description University of Houston-Downtown, west side of Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center
Marker # 10635
Dedicated 1965
Size, Type 18" x 28"
Code jails and prisons; Civil War; military topics
Latitude, Longitude 29.766713, -95.359669

Map