Photographer: J. Griffis Smith

One of Texas' most unusual historic sites, massive adobe fortress built by frontiersman Ben Leaton in 1848 immediately after Mexican War at strategic site on Chihuahua-San Antonio Trail in arid West Texas by the Rio Grande. Leaton cornered lucrative trade with area Native American tribes, supplied far-ranging U.S. Army patrols, and was accused of encouraging Indian raids on settlements in Mexico by trading weapons and ammunition for stolen livestock. Of more than 40 original rooms around large patio, 24 are architecturally restored and roofed with cottonwood vigas (beams) and rajas (split cottonwood), sheathed with adobe. Restoration, not yet complete, eventually will include frontier furnishings of living and guest quarters, dining room, kitchen, storerooms and grainary. Interpretive exhibits trace area history and culture; audiovisual program on desert ecology. Three miles east of Presidio on F.M. 170; admission fee. (Daily, annual, restricted annual, annual group entrance permits and Parkland Passports are not valid.)

Visitor center at the fort introduces Big Bend Ranch State Park.