History in Buildings and Place Names
The tower of the Crockett County Jail may have been intended for executions, but a gallows was never installed. Built in 1892, the building has been designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark since 1966. The Crockett County Courthouse was built in 1902 in the American Gothic style, based on plans by Oscar Ruffini. Here, you can encounter two different chapters of the county's history: a jail building with a remarkable story and a courthouse whose architectural style makes its own statement.
The Perner House has also been designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, in 1975. The Old Ozona Hotel, meanwhile, was built around 1893. In its earlier days, it housed teachers, visiting sports teams, and business travelers. Between 1919 and 1921, it was also associated with geologists and lessees seeking to develop the oil fields of Crockett County. These different dates mark not a single development, but several chapters in history.
Emerald was the first platted town in Crockett County, in 1889. Two years later, it lost the county seat election to the water well site of E. M. Powell, today's Ozona. As a result, Emerald became a failed colonization site in West Texas. The Emerald House was moved, along with other houses from the former town, to the new county seat; today it stands away from 11th Street on the east side of Ozona. The relocation of the houses adds a tangible change to the townscape to the political history.
Former transportation routes are also part of the historic traces. The High Lonesome Stage Stand was built in 1902 and served one of the last commercial stagecoach lines in Texas. Wagon ruts are still visible at the site of the Comstock-Ozona Stage Stand. These two places show different ways in which transportation history can be experienced: through the former function of a building in one case, and through traces in the landscape in the other.
Explore Ozona and Its History on Foot
Ozona's Historic Town Square has been the heart of the community for more than a century. You can explore the square on foot, passing historic limestone and stucco buildings. This walk offers a different perspective from dates and building histories, focusing instead on architecture and public space. The approximately one-hour History on the Square walking tour shares insights into the past of Crockett County. If you plan to take the tour, confirm its availability locally.
Nature Watching on the Interpretive Trail
The Crockett County Interpretive Trail brings together several nature-related topics. A Rain Harvest Exhibit explains rainwater collection. There is also an area for wildlife observation and a water station for birds and butterflies. More than 200 plants from over 75 species grow along the trail. These figures give a tangible sense of the variety of plant life, without requiring you to look for specific animal or plant species.
You can explore the trail on your own with the help of a color brochure. It is free and designed for visits at any time of year. Check the current access conditions before your visit. This lets you plan the nature route without a guided tour; the brochure is the intended guide for exploring independently.
More Interests and Practical Information
If you are interested in motorized outdoor activities, the Escondido Draw Recreational Area is a 3,500-acre off-road area for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. The trail network covers 110 miles and includes a range of difficulty levels. If you are planning a visit, check the latest information about the area in advance.
Another reason to visit is Crockett County DeerFest, which organizes a Hunter Appreciation Dinner every year on the first Saturday in December. If that date matters to your plans, confirm the date for the relevant year in advance.
Ozona Municipal Airport is located one mile north of Ozona. Its 6,000-foot all-weather runway can accommodate aircraft weighing up to 70,000 pounds. If you are planning to use the airport for a specific trip, confirm the available services in advance.
Discover more destinations: Ozona, Fort Bend, Presidio County, Kleberg, Tyler, Mclennan, Collin, Lynn County.
For the main travel overview: Texas.
