Fort Ringgold is located in Rio Grande City, Texas. Constructed in 1848, the fort has served for various functions ever since. It was originally built as a part of a system of fortresses to protect the once disputed border between the newly annexed state of Texas and old Mexico. Border bandits, Indian raids, land disputes, cattle rustling, and other disturbances were a common site during this particular period. The picture above illustrates the setting that existed at the turn of the century-early 1900's. Note the cannons that were part of the military artillery stationed at Fort Ringgold.

The building in the picture is one of several being used today as classrooms for Ringgold Elementary and Ringgold Intermediate Schools. Few students can actually state that they attend school in a building that dates back more than 150 years.