Indian Lodge sits tucked away in the Davis Mountains
like an ancient Indian pueblo between two rising peaks covered with desert
grasses. Its existence seems timeless, familiar to many, but discovered by few.
The white adobe walls of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department-operated inn
shine from distant overlooks as if it were a small lost city forgotten by time
in the rugged West Texas mountain valley.
Modeled after the rambling mountain pueblos of New Mexico, the lodge was
built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 in Keesey Canyon. The original
15 rooms were built on the mountain-side on varying levels around a central
patio and lobby.
Many of the walls were made of 18-inch thick adobe that retains the coolness
of the nights and the warmth of the small fireplaces before the days of central
air and heat. The interior ceilings in the historic section are made of exposed
vigas and latillas (pine and cane), common to the pueblo-style
structures. The lodge is furnished with hand-carved furniture embellished with
Southwestern motifs and made at Bastrop State Park, east of Austin.
In 1967, the state parks department added 24 hotel-style rooms. The
remodeling included closing off the fireplaces and adding air conditioning,
heat, televisions, and telephones. A heated pool was also added below the
observation deck. Rates at the lodge range from $55 to $85. Kathy Knight, the
front desk clerk, recommends making reservations four to six months in advance.
“Most people book for a return visit as they’re checking out,” she said.
Despite its commanding view of the valley, the Black Bear Restaurant at the
Lodge offers little in the way of culinary skills. Some guests have criticized
the food as bland and overcooked, while others found it no worse than most
roadside diners. The restaurant opens daily from 7am to 9pm. On Sunday it
serves a lunch buffet from 9:30am to 2:30pm and closes from 2:30 to 5pm.
Indian Lodge is in the Davis Mountains State Park, a 2,678-acre preserve four
miles north of Fort Davis. A five-mile park road winds to the top of Davis
Mountain with its spectacular views. Only the vista from Mount Locke and the
McDonald Observatory, 13 miles north of the park, offers a more impressive
view.
Across the deep gorge cut by Keesey Creek from Indian Lodge, the park has a
campground in a grove of oak trees. The park’s interpretive center offers
regular events, and a network of trails winds through the mountains. One trail
follows the old stagecoach road to the old army post in Fort Davis. For
information, call 915/426-3337. Reservations must be made through central
reservations, 389-8900 (Austin).
Coming up this weekend…
Geburtstag Celebration in Giddings, a German festival with Texas barbecue at
Airline Park, Sept. 27-29. 409/542-3455.
General Wool’s Army returns to camp at the Landmark Inn in Castroville in a
reenactment of the Mexican War campaign, Sept. 28-29. 210/931-2133. There also
is an antique show at Koenig Park.
Coming up…
Texas Renaissance Festival salutes the artisans at the annual fair as well as
several new shows, weekends Oct. 5-Nov. 17. 800/458-3435 or
http://www.neosoft.com/~renfest.
Oktoberfest at Winedale means lots of food and music in conjunction with
activities in Round Top, Oct. 5-6. 409/278-3530.
This article appears in September 27 • 1996 and September 27 • 1996 (Cover).
