courthouse, first Catholic Church, first schoolhouse and Zero Stone—used as the origin point for land surveys in this part of West Texas. Nearby St. Stephens Episcopal Church (1896) was the first Protestant church west of the Pecos River. 103 W. Callaghan. 432/336-2972.
HISTORIC FORT STOCKTON—Frontier military post was established in 1858 as Camp Stockton and abandoned in 1886. The fort consisted of 35 buildings made of adobe and hand-hewn limestone. Some original buildings remain and others have been reconstructed. Admission charge. 300 E. Third. 432/336-2400.
OLD FORT CEMETERY—Records on existing tombstones indicate few people lived beyond age 40, demonstrating the hardships among those who settled this harsh country. Corner of Water and Eighth streets. 432/336-2264.
PAISANO PETE—At 22 feet long and 11 feet tall, Pete is probably the world’s largest roadrunner and is a popular photo subject. Business I-10 at Main Street. 432/336-2264.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park near Pine Springs offers some of the highest peaks in Texas.
VIVA! EL PASO—Outdoor drama traces El Paso’s history through four eras: Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Western. The Franklin Mountains serve as a backdrop for McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater. 915/534-0600.
www.elpasolive.com.
WET ‘N’ WILD WATER WORLD—See ANTHONY.
WYLER AERIAL TRAMWAY—Glide to the top of Ranger Peak in an airborne Swiss gondola. From a mile-high seat, see Mexico, New Mexico and El Paso. After dark, catch the panorama of gold- and silver-hued lights against a dramat- ic desert backdrop. Call ahead to make sure tramway is running. Admission charge. 1700 McKinley. 915/566-6622.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/wyler-aerial-tramway.
FORT DAVIS POP. 1,241
ALT. 5,050 MAP O-6
FORT DAVIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 432/426-3015 or 800/524-3015.
www.fortdavis.com.
Fort Davis grew under the protection of the U.S. Army post (founded in 1854) of the same name. Fort Davis was among the 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visitors will find shops, restaurants and accommodations. The Prude Guest Ranch is popular for vacations. It
offers horseback riding, hayrides, chuck-wagon cookouts and more. 800/458-6232.
www.prude-ranch.com.
CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE CENTER—Promotes the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and educa- tion. Included are a botanical garden, interpretive exhibits, hiking trails and a gift shop. A self-guided tour of the bo- tanical gardens and Modesta Canyon interpretive trail guides are available. Admission charge. Four miles south of Fort Davis on Texas 118. 432/364-2499.
www.cdri.org.
DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK—This is the most extensive mountain range fully contained in Texas. Inside this park, built by the CCC, motor into a full hook-up site, backpack to a high overlook or make camp under the trees. Admission charge. Six miles west of Fort Davis on Texas 118 at Park Road 3. 432/426-3337.
www.tpwd.
state.tx.us/state-parks/davis-mountains. Indian Lodge—This Southwestern, pueblo-style adobe
lodge has original handcrafted interiors and furnishings dating from its 1930s construction by the CCC. In addition to the guest rooms, the lodge has a full-service restaurant and a swimming pool. Admission charge. 432/426-3254.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/indian-lodge.
FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE—This site is a superb example of frontier forts from its era, including both ruins and restorations. A museum in the reconstruct- ed barracks vividly interprets frontier military life. Another
100 PHOTO: STAN A. WILLIAMS/TXDOT
feature is a sound re-creation of a 19th-century military parade. Admission charge. On the northern edge of town, the site is located at Texas 17 and Texas 118. 432/426-3224 x220.
www.nps.gov/foda.
HISTORIC INN —Hotel Limpia—This restored 1912 country inn has sturdy, turn-of-the-century oak furniture, second-story veranda and glassed-in sun porch with rattan rockers. 101 Memorial Square. 800/662-5517.
www.hotellimpia.com.
OVERLAND TRAIL MUSEUM—This small museum was the former home, office and shop of an early resident who was justice of the peace, barber and area music master. Exhibits include pioneer and law enforcement artifacts. Admission charge. 511 N. Fort St. 432/426-3404.
SCENIC DRIVE—A 74-mile loop through the Davis Moun- tains includes nine scenic roadside parks, Mount Locke, Madera Canyon and Davis Mountains State Park. Head two miles south on Texas 17, take Texas 166 west to inter- section with Texas 118, and then turn southeast back to Texas 17 and Fort Davis.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MCDONALD OBSERVATORY AT MOUNT LOCKE—Built in 1932, the observatory’s original instrument was an 82-inch reflector; a 107-inch reflector is in a larger dome. Interpretive programs in the George T. Abell Gallery highlight the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, one of the world’s largest. Visit the website for admission charges and information
on special viewing nights, Decoding Starlight exhibit, solar viewings, guided tours and Star Parties. 16 miles northwest via Texas 118, Spur 78. 432/426-3640.
www.McDonaldObservatory.org.
FORT STOCKTON POP. 8,399
ALT. 2,954 MAP O-7 FORT STOCKTON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER:
1000 Railroad Ave. 432/336-2264 or 800/336-2166.
www.fortstockton.org.
The town developed with the establishment of a military post in 1859. It was an outpost on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route at the crossing of the Old San Antonio Road and an ancient Comanche War Trail. Today, it is a major West Texas crossroads. Hunting is excellent for mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
ANNIE RIGGS MEMORIAL MUSEUM—The hotel was built in 1899 on a stage route. The 14 rooms display area collections: 19th-century clothing, photos, Native Ameri- can artifacts, cowboy regalia, kitchen utensils, geology, archeology and religion. Admission charge. 301 S. Main St. 432/336-2167.
www.annieriggsmuseum.com.
COURTHOUSE SQUARE—Historic features include the
TUNIS CREEK STAGECOACH STOP—This former way station on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route later be- came a Texas Ranger station. Historic structure was moved to a picnic area on I-10, 20 miles east of Fort Stockton. The original location was approximately two miles south.
IRAAN POP. 1,231
ALT. 2,200 MAP O-9
IRAAN-SHEFFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 501 W. Sixth St.
www.iraantx.com.
With the 1928 discovery of oil, the town exploded into existence. The name, chosen in a contest, combines names of the town site owners, Ira and Ann Yates. At the city park, see a historical marker with details about the Discovery Well A No. 1.
FANTASYLAND—Alley Oop, the comic-strip caveman, was created by V.T. Hamlin while he lived in Iraan. Visitors can see Alley Oop and Dinny in gigantic figures in the 7.2-acre park. 9261 Alley Oop Lane. On U.S. 190. 432/639-2232.
www.iraantx.com.
IRAAN MUSEUM—In Fantasyland Park, the museum fea- tures fossil exhibits, Native American artifacts, ranching antiquities and oil field relics. 9261 Alley Oop Lane. 432/639-2232.
www.iraantx.com.
SCENIC DRIVE—U.S. 190 offers views of rugged terrain while driving through scenic mesas.
KERMIT POP. 5,789
ALT. 2,890 MAP L-7
KERMIT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 112 N. Poplar. 432/586-2507.
Winkler County seat was a mere village in 1926 when the county population was 81. When oil was discovered nearby in the Permian Basin, the boom was on. County-owned golf course is open Tue.-Sun., seven miles west on Texas 302.
MEDALLION HOME—First built about five miles south of town, W.H. Seastrunk dismantled his house and moved it into town in 1910. Seastrunk sold the property, and the
A Quick Trip to Wink
ROY ORBISON MUSEUM—Orbison grew up in Wink and called it home. The museum features memorabilia from his boyhood and his musical career. Record albums and singles are displayed, along with the singer’s trademark sunglasses. Downtown Wink on Texas 115. By appointment only. 432/ 527-3743.
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