This view across the parade field to the officer's quarters shows the beautiful mountains in the background and the gorgeous sunny day we enjoyed.
The barracks has been partly restored. One section has been converted to a museum of the kinds of equipment the cavalry had in the late 19th century, including such weapons as light artillery and this Gatling gun.
The barracks was laid out as though for inspection, although most military posts would require bunks to be made up and gear stowed.
One bunk had the trooper's dress uniform laid out.
This was one of the posts manned by "Buffalo Soldiers" comprised of African American troops.
The non-commissioned officers were also black men as depicted here.
The Commander's Quarters were in the center house on Officer's row.
When the founding commander retired, he settled in the Fort Davis area.
When the National Parks Service restored the Fort and the Commander's quarters. they donated much of the original furniture. So almost all of what is in the house is the original furniture!
Following the delightful visit to Fort Davis, we commenced the Mountain Loop Drive around to the North and West fo Fort Davis. As it happens, we learned bout this drive in a book which Fr Vince Lampert gave us several years ago "Scenic Drive Across America" by National Geographic.
We learned that NPS had restored the Fort on-line.
The Drive took us up into the mountains (our friends from Colorado will probably laugh at the idea of a 6,000 ft "mountain") past The McDonald Observatory. The remarkably clear skies and lack of pollution in the atmosphere makes this a great location for an observatory.
The scenery from the drive is breathtaking!
Several signs warned of high water. We often saw measuring sticks such as this to alert drivers how many feet of water cover the road!
Our day ended as we drove on into Las Cruces, bidding adieu to the mountains of Fort Davis.
Next: White Sands!
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