Established September 14, 1849 by Brevet Major Jefferson Van Horne with 4 companies of the Third United States Infantry and known as Post El Paso * Vacated in 1851 * Re-garrisoned in 1854 and named Fort Bliss in honor of Brevet Major William Wallace Smith Bliss * Abandoned in 1868 due to encroachment of the Rio Grande. Erected by the State of Texas 1936