Fort Davis: History, Architecture and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Fort Davis
Fort Davis combines historic details about the town with hiking trails and offerings at the McDonald Observatory. The town’s history is reflected in its buildings and a preserved section of the original San Antonio–El Paso Road; activity destinations lie in different directions around Fort Davis.
Hotel History and Distinctive Buildings
The history of Hotel Limpia began in 1884 in a small red-brick building, one mile north of downtown, near the Overland Trail and across from the fort. The current Hotel Limpia building was constructed in 1912 and opened in 1913. It stands on the later town square, near the courthouse, across from the bank and next to the Union Mercantile, now the Jeff Davis Library. The founding and the current building are therefore two distinct chapters in the hotel’s history.
The Overland Trail Museum is housed in the 1883 home and office of Justice of the Peace and photographer Nick Mersfelder. The building served two purposes: it was both a home and a workplace. A section of the original San Antonio–El Paso Road still runs through Fort Davis. So, in addition to individual buildings, the town’s history as a stop along a historic road is another point of interest.
The Jeff Davis County Courthouse brings together several distinctive architectural details. Its polychrome, or multicolored, exterior is made of cast concrete with inlays of locally sourced pink rhyolite tuff. The courthouse also features a Beaux-Arts-style clock tower with a Seth Thomas clock. Its color, building materials, architectural style and clock offer different points of interest if you’re interested in architecture.
Hiking Trails and Activities Around Fort Davis
Fort Davis National Historic Site offers four miles of hiking trails through its developed grounds and backcountry. Davis Mountains State Park, four miles west of Fort Davis on Highway 118, also has hiking trails, as well as wildlife-viewing areas and picnic spots. The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is four miles southeast of Fort Davis on Highway 118 and offers more than five miles of hiking trails.
The state park and the research institute are both four miles from Fort Davis, but in different directions: west and southeast, respectively. Their listed amenities also differ. In addition to hiking trails, the state park has wildlife-viewing areas and picnic spots; at the research institute, the trail length of more than five miles is a specific point of reference for hikers.
The McDonald Observatory is 16 miles northwest of Fort Davis on Highway 118. Its visitor information center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serves as the check-in point for all daytime and evening activities. Offerings include one-hour guided tours of some of the telescopes, as well as star parties with nighttime telescope viewing. These astronomy activities add a distinct focus to the historic buildings and hiking opportunities.
The activities described here offer several different options for planning: trails with stated distances, wildlife-viewing areas and picnic spots at the state park, as well as guided tours and nighttime telescope viewing at the observatory. A guided tour lasts one hour; this specific time frame can help you fit it into your day alongside hiking trails and other interests.
For an overview of the wider area: Jeff Davis.
