BIG BEND COUNTRY: FORT DAVIS

FORT DAVIS

FORT DAVIS Fort Davis started off as a frontier fort in 1864, built at the intersection of the famed Chihuahua and Butterfield Overland Mail Route.

Fort Davis is the county seat of Presidio County. The town has a population of 1,050 and sits at an altitude 5,050 feet above sea level.

Before the Civil War Fort Davis helped protect westward bound pioneers as they crossed the treacherous area where Indians were still hostile. During the Civil War the troops were pulled from Fort Davis, which left it to the mercy of the natives. After the war westward migration resumed and so did Fort Davis, remaining as a protector of pioneers until it was shut down in 1891.

Modern day Fort Davis' climate and altitude make it a popular tourist destination. Visitors will find specialty shops, restaurants and lodging, in addition to camping areas and other attractions..

Wine lovers will find the Blue Mountain Winery on the Scenic Loop Tour.

The Chihuahuan Desert Visitor Center is a natural area operated by the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, dedicated to preserving the Chihuahuan Desert Region.

You'll find Davis Mountains State Pak in a sloping basin in the Davis Mountains. The park has a multilevel hotel called Indian Lodge, built in the Pueblo style. There is a free interpretive center open afternoons. You'll find camping, picnicking, trailer sites and the other usual amenities here.

You can visit Fort Davis National Historic Site, the location of the actual fort where the buildings that housed 12 companies still exist. There is an entry fee.

The Overland Trail Museum is named for the historic trail that once passed by its front door. There is an admission fee.

McDonald Observatory at Mount Locke was built in 1932 on 6,791 foot Mount Locke, due to its clear air, cloudless nights and distance from city lights. The Visitors Center is open daily from 9 am til 5 pm. Solar viewings are shown daily. There are fees for the various activities, including once a month when visitors can view celestial objects through the 107 inch telescope. This is very popular, reservations should be made well in advance. Call 432.426.3640.

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