Historical Markers in
Crockett County, Texas

Camp Melvin and the Pontoon Crossing of the Pecos River Casbeer, Joseph L. Comstock-Ozona Stage Stand, Site of Crockett County Crockett County Courthouse Crockett County Jail Crockett County's First Producing Oil Well Crockett, David Emerald House, The Emerald Townsite Fort Lancaster Fort Lancaster, C.S.A. Fort Lancaster, Ruins of High Lonesome Stage Stand Hoover, Laura and William Peery Howard's Well Hudspeth, Henry Street Hurst, Pharis Miller, William Mathias O. W. Parker Ranch Headquarters Old Government Road Ozona Hotel, Old Ozona Junior High School Ozona National Bank Ozona Stockman, The Ozona's First Water Well Ozona's Water System Ozona-Barnhart Trap Company Powell, Ernest Malapert Smith, Samuel Theodore The Chihuahua Trail and Escondido Water Hole The Perner House
The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The flower blooms in the spring and is a common sight along the highways and in fields throughout the state.
Texas random facts
Crockett County, located in the heart of West Texas, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, and Lipan Apache, who relied on the abundant wildlife and natural resources for their sustenance.

The arrival of European settlers in the mid-19th century brought significant changes to Crockett County. In 1852, the U.S. Army established Fort Lancaster, a strategic military outpost, which played an important role in protecting settlers and travelers along the San Antonio-El Paso Road. However, the fort was abandoned after just nine years due to constant threats from Native American tribes and a lack of vital resources.

The county itself was formed in 1875 and named in honor of Davy Crockett, the legendary frontiersman and hero of the Alamo. As more settlers arrived seeking fertile land for ranching and agriculture, the community of Ozona was established near the confluence of the Live Oak and West Bear Creeks. Ozona quickly became a hub for cattle drives, as it was located along the Goodnight-Loving Trail and later the Texas and Pacific Railway.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Crockett County experienced both prosperity and challenges. Droughts, economic downturns, and the Great Depression took their toll, but the discovery of oil in the 1920s brought a new wave of growth and opportunity. The county's booming oil industry attracted workers and entrepreneurs, leading to increased population and economic diversification.

Today, Crockett County remains a vibrant community with a diverse economy that includes ranching, agriculture, and oil production. Its history is proudly celebrated through various landmarks, museums, and events that showcase the unique heritage of this West Texas county.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Crockett County, Texas.

  • 1875 - Crockett County officially established
  • 1885 - Ozona becomes county seat
  • 1891 - Crockett County Courthouse built
  • 1902 - Texas and Pacific Railway arrives in Ozona
  • 1925 - Crockett County Oil Field discovered
  • 1940s - Sheep and goat ranching becomes a major industry
  • 1980 - Crockett County Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  • 1993 - Devil's River State Natural Area established
  • 2008 - Crockett County celebrates its 133rd anniversary