Original Fort Brown Site (Fort Brown Earthworks). This earthen fort was built by Gen. Zachary Taylor's troops in 1846 and was originally called both "Fort Taylor" and "Fort Texas". The fort featured bastion walls 9 1/2 feet high forming an irregular six-point star. Most sections of the earthworks were destroyed early in this century by levee construction. An original breastwork section is visible in the distance, now lower in height due to erosion. The Mexican siege and bombardment of this fort was a precipitating event in the Mexican - American War. Gen. Taylor officially named the site Fort Brown "in memory of the gallant Commander who nobly fell in its defense." Funding provided by Anthony K. Knopp