Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Davis

1854-1862

Photographed By James Hulse, March 13, 2023

1. Fort Davis Marker

Inscription. Area Indian tribes did not typically attack forts where they were outnumbered; they preferred surprise attacks on travelers along the San Antonio to El Paso Road.

Private George Kohlhaas and his fellow soldiers escorted wagons and patrolled the road in order to prevent these raids. If skirmishes did occur, they usually resulted in few casualties on either side.

Captions
Center: Captain Jordon's Quarters - Captain Arthur T. Lee. Courtesy of Dorothy Sloan - Rare Books, Austin, Texas.

Erected by National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian.

Location. 30° 35.867′ N, 103° 53.698′ W. Marker is in Fort Davis, Texas, in Jeff Davis County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Lt. Henry Flipper Drive and State Street. The marker is located in the western section of the historic Fort Davis. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Lt Henry Flipper Drive, Fort Davis TX 79734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Fort Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Davis

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Davis (about 300 feet away); Sick Call (about 400 feet away); The First Fort Davis (about 500 feet away); Commanding Officer's Quarters (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Davis (approx. 0.2 miles away); Legend - Fort Davis (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Davis.

More about this marker. The fort and markers are located on the grounds of the Fort Davis National Historic Site which requires a small entrance fee to access.

Also see . . . Fort Davis: Frontier Post. National Park Service

A key post in the defense system of western Texas, Fort Davis 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 hoping to reach the gold fields of California. Today, Fort Davis is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post
Photographed By James Hulse, March 13, 2023

2. The view of the Fort Davis Marker
in the American Southwest. It is a vivid reminder of the significant role played by the military in the settlement and development of the western frontier. Named for Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, the fort was first garrisoned by Lieutenant Colonel Washington Seawell and six companies of the Eighth U.S. Infantry. The post was located in a box canyon near Limpia Creek on the eastern side of the Davis Mountains--where wood, water, and grass were plentiful. From 1854 to 1861, troops of the Eighth Infantry spent much of their time in the field pursuing Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches.

(Submitted on March 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.