Fort Davis National Historic Site facts for kids
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Fort Davis National Historic Site
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Fort Davis National Historic Site
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101 Lt. Flipper Dr. Fort Davis, Texas |
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| Area | 523 acres (212 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architect | Lt. Col. Wesley Merritt |
| Visitation | 55,955 (2015) |
| Website | Fort Davis National Historic Site |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000045 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
| Designated NHS | September 8, 1961 |
Fort Davis National Historic Site is a special place in Texas. It's located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. This historic site was created in 1961. Its main purpose is to protect one of the best old United States Army forts. This fort is a great example of military history in the southwestern United States.
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History of Fort Davis
Building the Fort
Fort Davis was built in October 1854. It was named after Jefferson Davis, who was the Secretary of War at the time. The fort was placed in a canyon. This location helped protect the soldiers from harsh winter winds.
Protecting Travelers and Trails
From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was very important. It helped protect people traveling on the San Antonio–El Paso Road. This road was used by settlers, mail coaches, and wagons carrying goods. The fort also helped control activities on Native American trails. These included the Great Comanche War Trail and Mescalero Apache war trails.
The Civil War and Rebuilding
The fort was left empty in April 1861. This happened at the start of the American Civil War. Later, during the war, a small group of Confederate soldiers tried to hold the fort. However, they faced attacks from Mescalero Apaches. This led to a difficult battle where many soldiers were lost. The Confederates eventually left the fort in August 1862.
After the Civil War, the fort was reoccupied in 1867. This time, it was by the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry regiments. These were all-black regiments, famously known as the "Buffalo Soldiers". They played a huge role in rebuilding the fort. They used limestone and adobe to construct new buildings outside the canyon walls. Their presence at Fort Davis is a key part of understanding the history of African Americans in the American West.
Visiting Fort Davis Today
Today, you can explore 24 restored historic buildings at Fort Davis. There are also more than 100 ruins and foundations to see. Five of the buildings have been made to look just like they did in the 1880s. This helps visitors imagine what life was like at the fort long ago.
You can start your visit at the fort's visitor center. From there, you can take a self-guided tour. During the summer, you might even see Living history demonstrations. These shows bring the fort's past to life!
Fort Davis became a part of the National Park System in 1961. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
The Legend of Indian Emily
At Fort Davis, there's a memorial that honors a legendary figure named Indian Emily. She is the fictional subject of a popular story. In the legend, Emily is said to have saved the fort from an Apache attack. The story says she warned the fort but was accidentally shot. This tale highlights bravery and sacrifice.
Gallery
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Main entrance to the Fort Davis National Historic Site
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Entrance to the Fort Davis National Historic Site from the Davis Mountains State Park
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Fort Davis campaign map
A hand-drawn military map from the 1880 campaign against Victorio and his Chiricahua Apaches. Image from the Special Collections of The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
