Fort Richardson was established in November 1867. Fort Richardson was named in honor of General Israel Bush (Fighting Dick) Richardson, who died in the Battle of Antietam during the Civil War. The fort was the northernmost of a line of Federal Forts established after the Civil War. The soldiers arrived in Jacksboro in 1866 with orders to establish a fort at Buffalo Springs, 20 miles north of Jacksboro. Due to unhealthy conditions at Buffalo Springs and the constant Indian raids, the fort was abandoned. The soldiers returned to Jacksboro and eventually received orders to establish a fort on the south bank of Lost Creek. Expeditions sent from Fort Richardson arrested Indians responsible for the Warren Wagon Train Massacre in 1871 and found Comanches in Palo Duro Canyon. The Fort was abandoned in May 1878.

Today, Fort Richardson State Park/Historical Site contains approximately 454.16 acres. The property was acquired from the City of Jacksboro in 1968.

There are seven of the original buildings, which have been restored: the post hospital; the officer’s quarters (Commanding Officer); a powder magazine; morgue; commissary; guardhouse and bakery. There are two replicas: officer’s and enlisted men’s barracks. The officers’ barracks houses the Interpretive Center.

There are screened shelters, campsites with water & electricity, limited number of campsites with water, electricity & sewer hook-ups, hike-in primitive sites, picnic sites, a lighted group picnic pavilion, restrooms with and without showers, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and a dump station. Prickly Pear Trail provides hiking on the open prairie land for 1.7 miles and a nature walk which follows Lost Creek for 1 mile. Fishing is allowed in the Quarry Lake located by the Park Headquarters.

The grand opening ceremony of Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway was held on National Trails Day, June 6, 1998. Located at Fort Richardson and Jacksboro, this hike, bike and equestrian trail runs adjacent to Fort Richardson and along Lost Creek, which is the main watershed for the two city lakes. The trail follows scenic Lost Creek and travels the east side of Lake Jacksboro and Lost Creek Reservoir. The trail crosses the dam at Lost Creek Reservoir and winds along the west side until you enter the trailhead. There is a trail head at Fort Richardson State Park and a trail head on Lost Creek Reservoir.