Fort Davis National Historic Site

A RICH HISTORY

After gold was discovered in California in 1848, westward overland travel routes became important. In West Texas, the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Butterfield Overland Trail passed through territory used by Apache and Comanche Indians. To protect travelers and the mail, the Army built a fort in what were then called the Apache Mountains, at the mouth of a pleasant box canyon near Limpia Creek. The new fort was named Fort Davis, after Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, and soon the mountains became known as the Davis Mountains.

Fort Davis was active from 1854 to 1891, except for the Civil War years. Troops from the fort scouted and mapped the surrounding territory, escorted the mail, protected stagecoaches and wagon trains, guarded railroad surveyors, and founght against raiding Indian bands. When Fort Davis had "outlived its usefulness" and was abandoned by the army, it contained over sixty major adobe or stone buildings.

The historic ruins of Fort Davis were acquired and preserved by the National Park Service beginning in 1961. There has been enough restoration that a visitor receives a vivid impression of what a fort was like. Today, Fort Davis National Historical Site is regarded as the most outstanding surviving example of a southwestern frontier military post.

VISITOR SERVICES

The site is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The entrance fee is $3 per person. Individuals 16 or younger, educational groups and holders of Golden Eagle, Golden Age or Golden Access Passports, or who have National Parks Passes, enter free of charge.

The Visitor Center is in a restored barracks and contains exhibits and a slide program on the fort's history. A sound representation of an 1875 Dress Retreat Parade echoes over the parade ground at scheduled times. During summer, park rangers and volunteers dressed as soldiers, officer's wives, or servants are stationed at some of the refurnished buildings to provide information. Be sure to check in at the Visitor Center at the beginning of your visit to learn what programs are available.

The site covers 474 acres and has several miles of hiking trails. A shaded picnic area is available year-round.

AREA INFORMATION

There are no overnight accommodations in the park. Camping is available at the Davis Mountains State Park, four miles from the fort. Lodging is available at several motels in the neighboring town of Fort Davis (population 1,000), and at Indian Lodge in the state park. The town has several gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and gift shops.

Nearby attractions include the McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas, Davis Mountains State Park, the Overland Trail Museum and the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute. Nearby towns of Alpine and Marfa also have attractions for visitors to the Big Bend Country.

The elevation of Fort Davis is 4,900 feet. Summer is hot with occasional showers, fall is mild, winter is cool and windy, and strong winds prevail in spring.

FRIENDS OF FORT DAVIS

Become a part of living West Texas history by becoming a member of the Friends of Fort Davis, a non-profit organization existing to support activities approved by the National Park Service for which congressionally appropriated funds are not available. The organization provides money for such activities as historical preservation and restoration, educational and cultural programs and research and planning.

An active group since 1983, the organization has played a significant role in helping the National Park Service in restoring and preserving this major cultural resource of a western military outpost.

The Friends of Fort Davis sponsor an Annual Restoration Preservation Festival on Labor Day week each year. Dues are:

• Annual Individual -- $15
• Life Individual -- $100
• Annual Family -- $25
• Life Family -- $150

For further membership information or to make contributions, please contact the Friends of Fort Davis, Box 1023, Fort Davis, Texas 79734.

THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The fort maintains a group of dedicated individuals who sometimes come from miles around to help interpret refurnished buildings and participate in special demonstrations and programs. They are properly outfitted in the civilian or military dress of the 1800s. These volunteers play a major role in bringing the history of Fort Davis to life for thousands of summer visitors.

Volunteering can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience and can be an excellent way to meet people and learn more about the role of Fort Davis in the settlement and development of West Texas. For information on the Volunteer Program, contact the Superintendent, Fort Davis National Historical Site, P.O. Box 1379, Fort Davis, Texas 79734 or phone: (432) 426-3224.