It’s not a mirage — camels are coming to Jeff Davis County! On May 14–15, Fort Davis National Historic Site and the Jeff Davis County Library are teaming up to bring local students and families a two-day celebration of history, literacy, and one of the most surprising chapters in West Texas history.
In the 1850s, the U.S. Army experimented with using camels as pack animals in the arid Southwest — and Fort Davis was part of that experiment. Now, history will come alive again with Doug Baum and his Texas Camel Corps, presenting living history demonstrations at the fort.
The fun kicks off Wednesday, May 14, with a 9 a.m. student assembly at Dirks-Anderson Elementary School, followed by a special program at 11 a.m. at the county library for Valentine Elementary and homeschool students. On Thursday, Baum will return for additional presentations at the historic site.
Also joining the festivities is author Kathi Appelt, who will present a reading and discussion of her acclaimed children’s book, Once Upon a Camel, a tale set in the Texas desert that captures young readers’ imaginations with facts and storytelling.
Hosted by the Friends of the Library, the event includes free bookmarks and a “Fun Facts About Camels” handout for students.
Whether you’re a history buff, an animal lover, or just camel-curious, this is one Fort Davis event you won’t want to miss.
