FORT SAM HOUSTON (JBSA): IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER
Welcome to Fort Sam Houston, TX, found in the heart of San Antonio. Otherwise known as Military City USA, the post is home to one of the strongest military communities in the country. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was established in 2010 to help better serve the military. While Fort Sam is an Army post, the JBSA network also comprises Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and eight additional areas. Fort Sam Houston has grown from a 40-acre post to around 35,000 acres or 54 square miles, in the northeastern portion of SATX. The Home of Army Medicine is where you’ll find the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, and over 16,500 graduates each year helping advance military healthcare from the post’s Medical Education and Training Campus. No matter why you’ve PCSed, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is a great place to call home.
- Fort Sam Houston History
- Where Is Fort Sam Houston?
- Fort Sam Houston Transportation Office
- Entering Fort Sam Houston and Post Amenities
- Fort Sam Houston Exchange
- Fort Sam Houston Commissary
- Fort Sam Houston Golf Course
- Fort Sam Houston Housing
- Fort Sam Houston Lodging
- Fort Sam Houston Schools
- Fort Sam Houston Veterinary Clinic
- Fort Sam Houston Finance Office
Fort Sam Houston History
Fort Sam Houston gets its name from Sam Houston, who defeated Mexican General Santa Anna. Construction began in the 1870s under Major General Edward Ord after serving as a Quartermaster Depot in 1845.
Ultimately, the post was made a permanent military installation in 1890.
Several notable figures and events have been a part of the base's history, including the imprisonment of the Apache leader Geronimo was held at Fort Sam's Quadrangle for six weeks.
From 1910 until World War II, the base was the largest Army post in the U.S., training Soldiers like Dwight D. Eisenhower and then holding as many as 1,000 German POWs.
Following WWII, Fort Sam Houston has been a hub for its advancements in military medicine, with facilities like Brooke General Hospital and the Institute of Surgical Research on base.
The Home of Military Medicine is the largest military medical training facility in the world and a National Historic Landmark, with over 900 historic buildings.
Fort Sam Houston Cemetery
The Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery has undergone multiple expansions and continues to serve as a major place of internment for the military community.
Many notable figures are buried at the post, including Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos, with over 180,000 people in 130,000 plots and columbaria in total.
A current expansion is making way for the 5,000 or so people laid to rest on the grounds each year, where 35,000 new graves and over 10,000 columbarium niches are being developed.
By adding this capacity, the cemetery will gain decades of additional use into the mid-2040s.
To learn more about getting buried in the cemetery, visiting, or any other related information, you can contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1 (866) 900-6417.
Furthermore, if you need to find a grave at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, you can do so online by clicking the link.
Hours (Visitation):
- Every day from sunrise to sunset
Hours (Office):
Monday through Friday - 0800 to 1630
With the exception of Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the office is closed on Federal holidays.
Fort Sam Houston Units
Medical units are common, but there are several other Soldiers stationed at JBSA-Sam Houston, with notable expertise in communication and intel:
106th Signal Brigade
187th Medical Battalion
232nd Medical Battalion
264th Medical Battalion
32d Medical Brigade
470th Military Intelligence Battalion (MI BN)
INSCOM (U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command)
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research
Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum
With so much history still being written, the Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum is a popular draw for the local military community and civilians alike.
If you’re traveling to the museum, take the Walters Street Gate, north of Interstate 35, as it’s typically the easiest to travel through.
You’ll note that visitors need to stop in at the Walters Street Visitor Center before entering the base and best of all, the admission is free.
Address: 1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 221-1886
Hours:
Monday through Friday - 1000 to 1600
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
Where Is Fort Sam Houston?
Fort Sam Houston, TX, is a post in Bexar County, situated on the northwest portion of San Antonio. You’ll find that the base is only about 3 to 5 miles from the city’s iconic River Walk.
Fort Sam Houston Map
Directions to Fort Sam Houston
Getting to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is simple, thanks to the base proximity to many of the city’s major highways.
All you really need is to put the base in your GPS and select one of the following visitor centers. You’ll be able to access the base once you’ve checked in:
Driving Directions to Fort Sam Houston
From the San Antonio International Airport to the Walters Street Visitor Center
Start by getting on US-281 S from Airport Blvd.
Continue driving on US-281 S until you get to I-35 Frontage Rd. From there, you’ll need to take the 159B exit 159B from I-35 N.
Keep going on the I-35 Frontage Rd until reaching the base.
From the San Antonio International Airport to the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) Visitor Center
Begin by driving on I-410 E from Airport Blvd and I-410 Access Rd/NE Interstate 410 Loop
Drive along I-35 S before taking exit 162 from I-35 S/I-410 S.
Finally, you’ll take I-35 Frontage Rd to George Beach Ave, where you’ll arrive at the post.
Fort Sam Houston Transportation Office
From figuring out your moving entitlements to getting help settling in and more, the staff found at the Transportation Office Fort Sam Houston Building 4023, are here to make your PCS a smoother process.
Address: 2400 Jessup Rd. Building #4203 Room 207 JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 221-1605
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - 0630 to 1515
Wednesday - 0630 to 1345
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
Entering Fort Sam Houston and Post Amenities
When entering Fort Sam, you’ll need to have your affairs in order. This means passing background checks, receiving the proper IDs, etc.
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston has a lot of different regulations for the process depending on if you’re a civilian, part of the military, a DoD contractor, etc., and you can find them all online by clicking the link.
Fort Sam Houston Visitor Center
Two visitor centers are available for civilians and military entering Fort Sam Houston for non-commercial reasons—the Walters Street Visitor Center and the BAMC Visitor Center.
Walters Street Visitor Center
Address: 892 Hood St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (254) 287-9909
Hours:
Monday through Friday - 0600 to 1700
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
BAMC Visitor Center
The center is located inside of the San Antonio Military Medical Center.
Address: 3551 Roger Brooke Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 539-9825
Hours:
- Everyday - 24/7
Fort Sam Houston DEERS Office
The DEERS office is going to help you get IDs for you and your family; however, they can also assist you with much more than your Common Access Card (CAC). This includes passports and visas.
Address: 2410 Jessup Rd Bldg 4023, San Antonio, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 221-0415
Hours
Monday through Friday - 0800 to 1500
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
Fort Sam Houston Gates
Walters Street Gate (Main Gate) - Everyday 24/7
New Braunfels Gate - Monday through Friday - 0600 to 2100; Closed on holidays
Harry Wurzbach West Gate - Monday through Friday - 0600 to 0900; Closed on holidays
Harry Wurzbach East Gate - Everyday 24/7
SAMMC IH-35 Gate - Everyday 24/7
SAMMC Beach Gate - Monday through Friday - 0600 to 1900; Closed on holidays
Schofield Gate - Everyday 24/7
Wilson Gate - Monday through Friday (Inbound) - 0600 to 1300; Outbound - 1300 to 2100; Closed on holidays
Winans Gate - Monday through Friday - 0430 to 2200; Saturday and Sunday - 0600 to 2200
Jadwin Gate - 0600 to 1800; Closed on holidays
Nursery Gate - Closed
Holbrook Gate - Closed
Fort Sam Houston Exchange
Whether you’re looking for cheap clothing, need to run a few errands, or need a fresh cut at the barber shop, the main PX has it all.
Address: 2500 Funston Rd Bldg # 2542, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 974-6020
Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 0900 to 2000
Sunday - 0900 to 1900
Fort Sam Houston Commissary
Groceries and everyday goods are available on base for you and your family. Best of all, they’re not only located in a convenient location but are also typically cheaper than other local superstores near you.
Address: 2400 Funston Rd Suite 6 Bldg 360, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 221-4300
Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 0800 to 2000
Sunday - 1000 to 1900
Fort Sam Houston Golf Course
Offering lessons, delicious bites, practice greens, a driving range, and much more, the amenities are plentiful at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club.
Both members and non-members can enjoy playing on two 18-hole championship golf courses and dining at the Back Swing Cafe.
To learn more about tee times, give them a call.
Address: 1050 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 221-5863 / (210) 222-9386
Hours (Course & Pro Shop):
- Everyday - Sunrise to Sunset
Hours (Illuminated Range):
- Everyday - 0600 to 2100
Hours (Back Swing Cafe):
- Everyday - 1000 to 1400
Fort Sam Houston Housing
Like many military bases, Fort Sam has plenty of privatized housing options available for families.
Fort Sam Houston Family Housing offers three communities with more than 900 single-family homes. We are pleased to offer housing to our military families stationed at Fort Sam.
Managed by Hunt Military Communities, if you are an active duty member of the military, you won’t have to pay for a security deposit or rent upfront when you move.
Address: 2739 Dickman Rd B 407, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 270-7638
Hours:
Monday through Friday - 0800 to 1700
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
The Housing Management Office is also available at (210) 295-8539. Here, military families can receive resources for both on and off-base housing options at JBSA Fort Sam Houston.
Furthermore, you can contact the office to receive help with your lease, relocation assistance, and help you with tenant-landlord issues.
Fort Sam Houston Lodging
SATX has plenty of options for hotels, Airbnb, camping, and more. Here are some of the more popular lodging options near and on Fort Sam Houston:
Hotels near Fort Sam Houston
Hotels on Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston RV Park
41 sites with full hookups for campers are available at the JBSA-Lackland FamCamp RV Park. Modern amenities like laundry rooms, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, etc., are all available for guests.
It’s a great place for enjoying local recreation and still finding time to relax while lodging near the base.
Rates:
$30 per day
$180 per week
$650 per month
Address: 4028 Petroleum Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 221-5502
Fort Sam Houston Schools
Fort Sam Houston ISD features an 11 to 1 teacher-student ratio, maintains an “A” rating, and more than half of its teachers have earned advanced degrees.
Consisting of Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, Robert G. Cole Middle and High School, and Military School Districts' Cooperative Department of Special Education, your children are provided a quality education no matter their age.
Fort Sam Houston Veterinary Clinic
Registering your pet is made easy with the expert care found at the Fort Sam Houston Veterinary Clinic. If your furry loved one requires shots, medication, or other medical needs, the vet is available Monday through Friday.
Address: 2332 Harney Path #2635, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: 1 (210) 808-6101
Hours:
- Monday through Friday - 0800 to 1600
Fort Sam Houston Finance Office
Keeping your finances in order is a must for any military family and there are unique considerations you’ll need to remember for your financial planning in the present and future.
The Fort Sam Houston Finance Office is available to help families better understand their money and stay on track, regardless of their financial goals.
Be sure to call ahead for an appointment as their office hours are subject to change.
Address: 2400 Jessup Rd. Building #4203 Room 205 JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234
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