Fort Davis Texas

Fort Davis National Historical Site, Ft. Davis, Texas
A key post in the defense system of West Texas. Ft. Davis played a major role in the history of the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891 troops stationed at the post protected immigrants, freighters, mail coaches and travelers on the San Antonio/El Paso road. The fort is one of the best preserved that we have seen. At the peak, there were over 100 structures and quarters for over 400 soldiers. The fort was abandoned in 1891 as a result of the Army’s efforts to consolidate its frontier garrison. It had outlived its usefulness.
The Black Infantry units and the Black Cavalry served on the Southwestern frontier. Some historians think that the Indians named these troops “Buffalo Soldiers” comparing their hair what to buffalo hair and finding them worthy adversaries.
When we were in Houston we visited the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. It gave an insight to their involvement in the Southwestern frontier. We enjoyed the fort because many of the structures were in such good condition and they had a complete bugle corps program that you could listen to while visiting the grounds.