The Davis Mountains

The Davis Mountains State Park is over 2708 acres in size and is located in Jeff Davis County, four miles northwest of Fort Davis. This is approximately halfway between Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park, so it makes a great pivot point if you are wanting to see some of the best Texas has to offer, as well as jump over into New Mexico and visit the spectacular Carlsbad Caverns.

Originally, the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a local family. Then in 1933, improvements began by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the late 1930's, the park opened to the public and formal campground facilities were added in 1967 (a year before I was born!).

The Davis Mountains is the most extensive mountain range in Texas. They were formed by volcanic activity during the Tertiary geologic period, which began around 65 million years ago. The mountains were named after Jefferson Davis, U.S. Secretary of War and later President of the Confederacy, who ordered the construction of the Fort Davis army post.

I remember my first (and only) trip to the fort when I was around 13 years old. I was shocked at its layout. Expecting something like a castle, I was amused at how simple and spread out it was. But after walking around for only a few moments, it wasn't hard to look around and imagine the original soldiers that were stationed here.

Back in the "old west" as west Texas settlements increased, raiding in Mexico and along the San Antonio-El Paso Trail became a way of life for Apaches, Kiowas, and Comanches. Then, after the war with Mexico, a wave of gold seekers, settlers, and traders came through the area and needed the protection of a military post - Fort Davis. This is what made it so crucial to the survival of west Texas.

Fort Davis was active from 1854 until 1891, except for certain periods during the Civil War. In 1961, the historic fort ruins were declared a National Historic Site, and an extensive restoration and preservation program was initiated by the National Park Service.