El Fortin Del Cibolo

Constructed in 1857, El Fortin del Cibolo was the headquarters of the vast ranching empire of Milton (Don Meliton) Faver (ca. 1829-1889). The heavily fortified structure was the first major outpost built between Fort Davis (established in 1854) and the Rio Grande. Faver, who reportedly learned of natural springs in this area from Indians who traded at his general store in Presidio del Norte, eventually acquired vast acreage surrounding the springs, thereby controlling the only steady water source in the vicinity. He built an irrigation system that supplied water for his immense vegetable gardens and peach orchard. Cibolo ranch crops supplied soldiers at Fort Davis and citizens of the nearby mining town of Shafter. El Fortin del Cibolo is a rare surviving example of a private fort in the Big Bend region. Reconstructed and restored based on archeological evidence and using hand labor, the one-story adobe, cottonwood, and cypress structure features a courtyard configuration with walls one to four feet thick; rounded towers at the northwest and southeast corners; gun ports; and wood canales (drain spouts). Hand-built stone fences accentuate the fort's primitive surroundings. It is one of the region's most significant historic structures. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992.

El Fortin Del Cibolo is a historical marker in Shafter, Presidio County, dedicated in 1992. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Presidio County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 81 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.8641, -104.3318 near Shafter. The nearest cataloged historic site is Yucca Hill (cemetery), about 2.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Milton Faver Ranches, Here Milton Faver, and Old Shafter-Concordia.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5377001417. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.