Join us for the Dedication!

One of the recipients of our Heritage Tourism grants through the Texas Historical Commission in 2012, was the Jeff Davis County Library Terrace project, which provides a pleasant place for visitors to enjoy a comfortable seat, wi-fi, and learn about the area's history through interpretive panels.  The new terrace provides outdoor seating in a previously unused area that was converted from an old loading dock. The library is housed in the historic W. Keesey-Union Mercantile Building, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. 

Located across the street from the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis, and next to the historic Limpia Hotel, the Terrace project is now complete and ready for YOU!

Would you join us for the dedication this Saturday?

The ceremony will follow a bank robbery reenactment at 1 p.m., with an ice cream social immediately following the dedication. 

Midsummer Night's Dream Garden Party to benefit the Jeff Davis County Library

Our friends at the Jeff Davis County Library want you to SAVE THE DATE!! 

Sunday, September, 8th, 2013, 4 – 6pm

6th Annual Midsummer Night’s Dream Garden Party

This year’s event, directed by Dona Roman, will feature works not only by William Shakespeare, but also by Oscar “Wilde Man” Wilde and J. B. “Mad Cap” Moliere.  This event is free and open to the public.

As usual, there will be light refreshments provided by the Blue Mountain Bistro, cash bar, plus a drawing for a Kindle Fire HD, donated by Nectar Computers.

Tickets for the drawing will be sold by the Friends of the JDC Library, starting now, and continuing during the event.  Tickets are $3 each, or 2 for $5, or 10 for $20.  If you are interested in helping the Friends’ board members by selling tickets, please contact the Friends.

Sponsors of this event will be given recognition during the program.  If you or your business would like to sponsor the Garden Party this year, please send your contribution to Friends JDC Library, PO Box 425, Fort Davis, TX 79734, or go to our website friendsjdcl.org to donate using paypal or major credit cards.
Your tax deductible donations are welcome and benefit the programs and projects of the Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library, a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Our listing for this event on our regional calendar is here.

Fort Davis getting ready for the "Coolest July 4th!"

Red, white and blue bunting surrounds
the Jeff Davis County Courthouse square

Last night the Jeff Davis County Courthouse Square was quiet, but soon the festivities will begin!

Fort Davis, as many travelers know, is a great vacation destination as it retains its original character and small-town charm, while offering plenty to do.  Fort Davis was recognized in 2008 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a Dozen Distinctive Destination.

Thursday from 10 am to 12, check out Fort Davis National Historic Site's Junior Ranger Day with 1880's vintage baseball!  Click here to read more.

Thursday, July 4th
 - Vendors set up at High-Noon
 - 6:00pm Open Mike Jam Session:
               Local musicians doing their thing live on the Courthouse lawn
Friday, July 5th
 - Vendors open around the Courthouse all day
 - 8:00pm: Jeff Davis County Library
                "Tumbleweed Smith" One Man Show
 - Dark: The Great Fireworks Extravaganza at the County Park
Saturday, July 6th
 - Vendors open around the Courthouse all day
 - 10:00am   The Great Parade
 - 12:00noon The Great Gunfight
 - 9:00pm     Dance Under the Stars w/ Jody Nix & the Texas Cowboys
Sunday, July 7th
 - Vendors open around the Courthouse all day
 - Live music on the Courthouse Lawn

Click HERE for the full July 4th schedule!

Last night's light at the Jeff Davis/Presidio County line

 

Subtle colors near sunset by Monte Riggs of Marfa
(click on photo for a closer look!)

Snow at Jeff Davis County Courthouse

A dusting of snow, a madrone tree and the Jeff Davis County Courthouse, by Carolyn Nored Miller of Fort Davis.  It has been an honor to feature Carolyn's photographs this holiday week.  Thank you, Carolyn!

Snowy Fort Davis

We'd like to thank Carol Nored Miller of Fort Davis for this wintertime image of the Fort Davis bank, across from the historic Jeff Davis County Courthouse.  Thanks, Carolyn!

Maple Red by Jill Miller

Bright red of maples from last year's color, taken by Jill Miller.  The maples were planted in the 1940s by Espy Miller in front of the Miller ranch house in Jeff Davis County.

Thanks to Jill for sharing this lovely color with all of us!

SURVIVED!!!

Today, we want to feature places in Fort Davis that survived the fire this weekend.  This small community will need a few days to get the power back on and get life organized again, but they'll NEED you to come back and see them.  You've read reports of a blackened landscape, yet it is important to realize ecosystem is very forgiving when it comes to fire.  A rain or two will get some green growing again, and the rebound will be swift and amazing...and Fort Davis will need you to come back and SEE that amazing rebound.  And as is usual with visits to Fort Davis...you'll have a great time.  So here's a rollcall of the intact survivors:

Hotel Limpia



Jeff Davis County Courthouse, in the center of town

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Indian Lodge

McDonald Observatory

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

Historic structures like the Old Jail

Davis Mountains Lodge and Expeditions (formerly Davis Mountains Education Center)

The entire downtown area, including the Stone Village Market

Please note, it may be several days before the town is really ready for visitors.  Please visit our facebook page, www.facebook.com/TexasMountainTrail , Marfa Public Radio  http://www.marfapublicradio.org/, or Big Bend Now, http://www.bigbendnow.com/ for updates.





"Good for the Soul" Mini-Break: Jeff Davis County Courthouse

We're happy to feature the Jeff Davis County Courthouse today, and invite you to spend a few minutes visiting the photographs and artifacts on display inside.  You'll see images of some of Fort Davis' most recognizable buildings being constructed in the early days of this charming small community.  Pictured here is a quilt made in 2004 of many of those buildings important to the history of Fort Davis.  Take a few minutes out of your day, to view the quilt and the many fascinating photographs of early life in the Fort Davis area.

The Courthouse was built in 1910 (replacing the original adobe courthouse), in the Classical Revival style, while the clock tower is Beaux-Arts. The alternating horizonal bands of pink are rusticaed stone from locally quarried materials.  Here's a link to the history of Jeff Davis County, courtesy of the Texas State Historical Association.

Today's Feature:  Stone Village Market
Locals and regional visitors like to pick up trail snacks at Fort Davis' Stone Village Market, as well as enjoy soups, sandwiches and delicious bakegoods.  Simple outdoor dining is possible on the front porch of the store, or at a couple of tables inside.  Coffee, cold drinks, produce and simple groceries are available at the store too!  It is located next to the cycle-friendly 1935 restored Stone Village Tourist Camp!

Mile High means cool summers and sometimes snow!

At an elevation of 5050 feet above sea level, Fort Davis is the highest town in Texas.  Lots of folks say, "we've got the elevation, but not the snow," well.....sometimes there is a little bit of snow in Fort Davis!  For more travel information about Fort Davis, click here or here.  Pictured here is the lovely, restored Jeff Davis County Courthouse in the center of Fort Davis.

Snow photo, courtesy: Larry Francell.  Thanks, Larry!

Jeff Davis County Courthouse

Texas has some beautifully restored courthouse and the Jeff Davis County Courthouse is one of the most beautiful. It is located in the center of Fort Davis on the main thoroughfare, not far from the shadow of Sleeping Lion Mountain.

Scenic Loop in Jeff Davis County

A tranquil view of the Scenic Loop near Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County. The route is a popular ride for cyclists.

For information on cycling in the Texas Mountain Trail region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/bike

Cyclists leaving Fort Davis for the Scenic Loop

One of the best rides in the state is the 74 mile Scenic Loop...the starting point is Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County.

The ride goes by McDonald Observatory, the trailhead for the Madera Canyon trail, Prude Ranch, Davis Mountains State Park, and Fort Davis National Historic Site.

For more information on cycling in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/bike

Thanks to Bart Childers for this photo!

Jeff Davis County Courthouse

Fort Davis is the county seat of Jeff Davis County, and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations!

This lovely structure was renovated as part of the Texas Historical Commission's Courthouse program, and it is the scene of much of Fort Davis' upcoming July 4th celebrations!

Check out the many things to see and do in Fort Davis!