Fort Davis, Texas, USA

Fort Davis is a tiny town in Texas with a population of about 1000.  It is known for nearby Fort Davis National Historic Site and the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.

Fort Davis: 1504 State St, Fort Davis, Texas, USA
McDonald Observatory: 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, Texas, USA

The downtown of Fort Davis

The main street, downtown

Fort Davis National Historic Site is next to downtown.

Fort Davis was key post in the defense system of west Texas as it played a major role in the history of the Southwest. From 1854 until 1891, troops stationed at the post protected emigrants, freighters, mail coaches, and travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road. Today Fort Davis is one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post. It is a reminder of the significant role played by the military in the settlement and development of the western frontier.

These individual houses are for officers.

These buildings are for the enlisted soldiers.

Only sparsed buildings are still standing, and most existed buildings are destroyed.

Only the base of the buildings exists.

Enlisted soldier’s shared room (The Squad Room)

This picture shows how it was when it was occupied.

Driving up to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.  The driving to the observatory is part of the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop. During weekdays and nights, it opens to the public to view the night skies.  Unfortunately, when I visited it was Sunday, so it was closed. 

The observatory

Driving down