Fort Davis National Historic Site
4 miles NW of town. (432) 426-3224. Daily 8am-5pm. Fee.
The volcanic Davis Mountains--the most extensive mountain range in Texas--and the Fort Davis National Historic Site appear like a mirage after driving a while through the vast, empty, parched desert that surrounds the area. Rocky outcroppings were once home to Apache Indians, who made continuous raids on the soldiers. The U.S. Army tamed the wild Texas frontier here and opened it up for settlement. Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples in the Southwest of an Indian Wars' frontier military post. This strategically located fort protected emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail from 1854 to 1891. The fort was also home to the Buffalo Soldiers, who, even though they were highly praised, ran into prejudice and racial disharmony and resided in segregated barracks. The fort was abandoned in 1891 and became a National Park in 1961. A small museum is inside the visitor center.
More things to do in Fort Davis.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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| overview of Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas |
The volcanic Davis Mountains--the most extensive mountain range in Texas--and the Fort Davis National Historic Site appear like a mirage after driving a while through the vast, empty, parched desert that surrounds the area. Rocky outcroppings were once home to Apache Indians, who made continuous raids on the soldiers. The U.S. Army tamed the wild Texas frontier here and opened it up for settlement. Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples in the Southwest of an Indian Wars' frontier military post. This strategically located fort protected emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail from 1854 to 1891. The fort was also home to the Buffalo Soldiers, who, even though they were highly praised, ran into prejudice and racial disharmony and resided in segregated barracks. The fort was abandoned in 1891 and became a National Park in 1961. A small museum is inside the visitor center.
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| buildings at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas |
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| John Heiner, Chief of Interpretation, talks about a cannon at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas |
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| Buffalo Soldier barracks at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas |
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| Officers Quarters at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas |
More things to do in Fort Davis.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
These landmarks are so awesome, even when I lived there, I always went to these places again and again even though they are supposedly “touristy”
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