Fort Davis is located in western Texas, USA. It lies between Fort Stockton and Alpine and is situated in the Davis Mountains area. It is famous for being a well-preserved frontier military post that protected settlers and travelers in the 19th century.
Fort Davis Location Map, Fort Davis, Texas
Texas Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Fort Davis
- Visitor Center & Museum – Offers an introductory film and exhibits about the fort’s frontier‑military and cultural history.
- Restored Barracks & Historic Buildings – Tour 6 furnished 1880s‑era buildings including officers’ quarters, enlisted men’s barracks and the post hospital.
- Ruins & Foundations – Explore over 100 original structures’ remains to understand the full scale of the 19th‑century fort.
- Daily History Presentations – Hear bugle calls and period‑music “retreat parade” sound‑presentations that bring the fort back to life.
- Hiking Trails & Scenic Overlook – Walk trails that connect into Davis Mountains State Park and offer scenic views of the surrounding mountains and fort.
- Junior Ranger Program – Educational activity for kids to learn about frontier life and fort history during the visit.
Fort Davis Facts
| Official Name | Fort Davis National Historic Site |
| Location | Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County, Texas, USA |
| Latitude & Longitude | ≈ 30.5992° N, 103.8928° W |
| Total Area | ≈ 523 acres (≈ 212 hectares) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Opened / Established | Established October 1854 (original fort) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Named After / Founder | Named for Jefferson Davis (Secretary of War at time) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Managed By | National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Region | Davis Mountains / Trans‑Pecos West Texas |
| Address | 101 Lt. Flipper Dr., Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Type | 19th‑century U.S. Army frontier fort / Historic military post / Heritage & cultural site :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Historical Role / Purpose | Protected emigrants, mail coaches, freight wagons and travelers along the San Antonio–El Paso Road and Chihuahua Trail; controlled Southern stem of Great Comanche & Mescalero Apache war trails (1854–1891) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Significant Military Units | Post re‑occupied 1867 — station for African‑American regiments (Buffalo Soldiers): 9th & 10th Cavalry, 24th & 25th Infantry :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Structures / Remains | 24 restored historic buildings + 100+ ruins and foundations (barracks, officers’ quarters, hospital, commissary, officers’ row, etc.) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Historic Use Ended / Abandoned | Fort abandoned / deactivated 1891 :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| Historic Designation | Designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark (1960) and added to the National Register of Historic Places (1966) :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Current Use / Facilities | Visitor Center & Museum, restored historic buildings open to public, self‑guided & ranger‑led tours, hiking trails, living history demonstrations in summer, interpretive exhibits, historical reenactments :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
| Opening Hours / Access | Open daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (except certain holidays) :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} |
| Nearby Geographic / Natural Features | Sits at foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and near Limpia Creek; part of rugged terrain of the Davis Mountains volcanic range :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20} |
| Significance / Cultural Importance | One of the best‑preserved examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest; illustrates U.S. western expansion, Indian Wars era, African‑American military history, frontier life, and 19th‑century military architecture & logistics :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21} |
| Official Website | https://www.nps.gov/foda :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22} |
Distances from Fort Davis to Nearby Landmarks
- Fort Davis National Historic Site – 0 km (0 mi)
- Davis Mountains State Park – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- McDonald Observatory – 30 km (18.6 mi)
- Fort Davis Scenic Loop – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Chihuahua Desert Visitor Center – 8 km (5 mi)
- Fort Davis Drugstore Museum – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- Davis Mountain Loop Drive – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center – 7 km (4.3 mi)
- Glass Mountains – 60 km (37.3 mi)
- Marathon, TX – 50 km (31 mi)
- Big Bend National Park – 220 km (136.7 mi)
- Alpine, TX – 80 km (49.7 mi)
- Fort Davis Visitor Center – 0 km (0 mi)
- Davis Mountains Preserve – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Emory Peak Trailhead – 200 km (124.3 mi)
- Mount Livermore – 25 km (15.5 mi)
- Rio Grande Village – 215 km (133.6 mi)
- Chinati Mountains – 40 km (24.9 mi)
- Presidio, TX – 220 km (136.7 mi)
- Fort Davis Post Cemetery – 1 km (0.6 mi)
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