In 1838 and 1839, during the campaign to suppress the Córdova Rebellion, the fort served as an operations and supply base for the Third Militia brigade commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas J.

[5] The town of Alto was laid out in 1849 and named for the Spanish word meaning "high," on account of the site's elevation on a drainage divide between the Neches and Angelina Rivers.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), all land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Meanwhile, police services are provided by the county sheriff and, assuming the town's finances improve, it will be opened up again in December.