P O Box 1707
Fort Davis TX 79734
432/426-3337Indian Lodge
432/426-3254
Indian.Lodge@tpwd.state.tx.us
History: Davis Mountains State
Park, 2708.9 acres in size, is located in Jeff Davis County, four miles
northwest of Fort Davis, approximately halfway between Guadalupe Mountains
National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park. The original
portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a local
family. Original improvements were accomplished by the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) in 1933; the park has been open to the public in since the late
1930s; formal campground facilities were added in 1967.
The Davis Mountains, the most extensive mountain range in Texas, were formed
by volcanic activity during the Tertiary geologic period, which began around 65
million years ago. These 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. Most Indian bands passed through the
Davis Mountains, although the Mescalero Apaches made seasonal camps. 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. Few Americans had
seen the Davis Mountains prior to 1846. 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. 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 a vast
restoration/preservation program was initiated by the National Park Service.
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