Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 130
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Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site-When pioneers and
gold seekers surged west in the mid-1800s, national concern
focused on secure travel routes. In Texas, nearly 600 miles of
wilderness stretched between San Antonio and El Paso. Throughout the
distance, wagon travelers fell prey to fiercely hostile Indians. Fort Davis,
established in 1854, was the first military post to guard the route and offer
A haven by the precious waters of Limpia Creek.
But the trauma of Civil War stripped the frontier of military protection,
and Indians again marauded unchecked. Little of value remained when fed-
eral troops returned to Fort Davis in 1867. New construction eventually pro-
duced substantial rock and adobe buildings that housed up to 12 companies
of cavalry and infantry. Post-war troopers were black "buffalo soldiers," many
of them former slaves from Southern plantations.
As the western movement resumed, troopers patrolled the long immi-
grant road, escorted mail and wagon trains, and mounted wide-ranging
expeditions into the vast wilderness territory. After years of conflict, peace
and civilian settlement finally came to the frontier. With the bluecoats no
longer needed, Fort Davis was deactivated in 1891.
Operated by the National Park Service, Fort Davis today is a superb
example of frontier forts from that epic era, including both ruins and
restorations. A museum, open daily in reconstructed barracks, vividly
interprets frontier military life.
Another feature is a sound re-creation of a 19th Century military
parade-bugles and hoofbeats... the clank and jangle of mounted
troops... music from band manuals of 1875. Echoing over the empty parade
ground, it is a haunting fragment of the past.
Open daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. except national holidays; admission.
Historic Inn: Limpia Hotel-Restored country inn, c. 1912; sturdy, turn-
of-the-century oak furniture, second-story veranda and glassed-in sunporch
with rattan rockers; Boarding House restaurant. Two suites and nine rooms
with haths.
Neill Museum-Antique toys made in Texas, 300 antique dolls, bottles, and
furniture. In historic 1898 Truehart House seven blocks west of courthouse.
Museum open June - Labor Day daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; admission. Also two
rooms bed-and-breakfast with antique furniture; year round. 915/426-3969
and 426-3838.
Overland Trail Museum-Named for historic trail that once passed its
front door, small museum was former home, office and shop of Nick
Mersfelter, early resident who was justice of the peace, barber, and area
music master. Austrian-born Mersfelter could play almost any instrument,
was once member of San Antonio Philharmonic Orchestra. Pioneer ranch,
trail, and law enforcement artifacts. Open Wed. - Sun. afternoons in
summer; admission.
Scenic Drive-A 74-mile loop through the Davis Mountains (from and back
to Fort Davis) leads to a host of choice mountain landscapes. Two miles
south on Texas 17 take Texas 166 west to intersection with Texas 118, then
southeast back to Texas 17 and Fort Davis. Features include nine scenic
roadside parks, Mount Locke topped by McDonald Observatory, beautiful
Madera Canyon, and Davis Mountains State Park.
University of Texas McDonald Observatory at Mount Locke-Built
1932 following bequest from William J. McDonald, amateur astronomer. On
6,791-foot peak of Mount Locke. Site selected because of clear air, high ratio
of cloudless nights, distance from concentrations of artificial lights, and dust-
and radiation-filtering growths of shrubs and timber. Original instrument was
82-inch reflector; 107-inch reflector is in larger dome.
A visitor center at the foot of Mount Locke presents programs daily
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. In summer, solar viewings presented 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.;
guided tours at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Winter: solar viewing 11 a.m., guidedOverland Trail Museum in Fort Davis
tour 2 pm. tp on the suimIit. the llirger dome is open to public and mla he
viewed from visitors' gallery. Each Tues., Fri. and Sat. evening, weather per-
mitting, the center conducts "Star Parties" for the general public, with view-
ing of stars and planets through telescopes set up by the observatory.
Observatory is 16 miles northwest via Texas 118, Spur 78. Spectacular view
from site.
Once a month, visitors can view celestial objects through 107-inch tele-
scope by making reservation with visitor center. (Very popular and some-
times booked months in advance.) Fee charged for large telescope viewing.
915/426-3640.FORT GRIFFIN
Pop. 96 Alt. 1,275 Map J-14
General-Frontier Shackelford County
community that grew around military post
of same name, served as area trade center
in 1870s and '80s. It was a rough, wild
settlement frequented by cavalry troopers,
trail-herd cowboys, buffalo hunters, and outlaws. More than 200,000 buffalo
hides were shipped from the town. Over a 12-year period, gunfights account-
ed for 34 public killings. Town declined after fort was abandoned, and today
there are only scattered rural homes on Brazos River farmlands at site on U.S.
283 north of Albany.
Fort Griffin State Park-506 acres of parkland feature camping, trailer
facilities, picnicking, fishing, nature study and hiking trails. Home of
state-maintained Texas Longhorn herd. Ruins of several old fort buildings,I
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/132/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.