BigBend2024

Area Attractions

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Troops from the Fort scouted and mapped the surrounding territory, escorted the mail, protected stage coaches and wagon trains, guarded railroad surveyors, and fought against raiding Indians. When Fort Davis was abandoned by the Army, it contained over 60 adobe or stone buildings. The historic ruins were acquired and preserved by the National Park Service in 1961. Today, Fort Davis National Historic Site is regarded as the most outstanding surviving example of a southwestern fron tier military post. The Visitor Center is located in a restored barracks and contains exhibits and a slide program on the Fort’s history. The site covers 460 acres and has several miles of hiking trails. A shaded picnic area is available year round. Hours are 8am-5pm daily. Admission is $10 per person. For additional information, write:

Community Information

DAVIS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

The State Park covers 1,869 acres of sce nic Davis Mountains. It has many camping facilities, picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, guided bird walks, and a scenic sky line drive. Occasional nature programs are held in the Interpretive Center. Contact: 432-426-3337. Entrance Fees: Adults 13+ $6 for day and $4 per night plus additional camping fees: Overnight camping: $25 for full hookup, $20 for water & electricity, $8 for equestrian and $10 for primitive. Location: 1 mile N of Ft Davis on SH 17 to SH 118N, then W on SH 118N for 3 miles. To find out more, visit tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ davis-mountains . FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE To protect travelers heading westward over

Superintendent P. O. Box 1379

Ft. Davis, TX 79734 or call 432-426-3224 . www.nps.gov/foda

the San Antonio - El Paso Road/ Overland Trail, the U.S. Army built

Photo Credit: National Park Service

a fort at the mouth of a pleasant box canyon near Limpia Creek. The new fort was named Fort Davis after the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Fort Davis was active 1854 - 1891 except for the Civil War years.

FORT LEATON STATE HISTORIC SITE

In 1848, Ben Leaton built a fortified adobe trading post known as Fort Leaton in Presidio County, Texas. He dominat ed border trade with the Apache and Comanche Indians before he died in 1851. In 1936, the Texas Centennial Commission placed a marker at the site. Now you can visit Fort Leaton, which now serves as the Visitor Center for the Big Bend Ranch State