The Overland Trail Museum, housed in a historic building dating back to 1883, offers visitors a glimpse into the life and legacy of Nick Mersfelder, a German immigrant whose diverse pursuits helped shape Fort Davis.
Mersfelder purchased the building in 1893 and lived there while operating a barbershop. His original barber chair and tools remain on display, along with a vintage electric hair curler from the mid-20th century. Beyond his role as a barber, Mersfelder was a musician, banker, rancher, and businessman. He was the first person in the area to own a car and a radio and also served as a local agent for the Edison Company, selling Victrolas and other early audio equipment.
Later in life, Mersfelder became a Justice of the Peace, prompting the addition of a courtroom to the building. The museum now houses historical exhibits, including medical artifacts from Dr. Jones, a well-known local physician, as well as period furniture, early office machines, and schoolbooks. A section dedicated to the Yaqui Indian tribe documents their presence in the region before being displaced by the Comanche and Apache.
The museum’s cowboy exhibit highlights clothing, firearms, and tools used on the open range. The restored kitchen features an early icebox and a pie safe, showcasing how people preserved food before refrigeration.
Mersfelder, who never married, passed away in either 1936 or 1939, depending on historical accounts. With no direct heirs, the building was later acquired by the Espy family, a local ranching family, before being transferred to the historical society. The Overland Trail Museum was formally established in 1971 and remains an important center for preserving Fort Davis history.
Visitors can also explore an additional exhibit space, “The Tack Room,” which contains more artifacts from the area’s past.
