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Fort Davis honored, out-of-towner selling: Seguin man will sell to whoever meets his demands
The owner of a 38-acre tract of land occupying a prominent bluff overlooking Fort Davis National Historic Site says the land is for sale, according to Suzanne Dixon, senior Texas program manager of the National Parks Conservation Association. The entire western viewshed of Fort Davis National Historic Site is protected by federal and state land with the exception of the 38-acre tract. The owner of the tract recently plowed a road to the top of the bluff and is considering paving it. He had indicated in the past that he would either build a personal residence or subdivide the tract. The owner, the Avalanche was told, is Chris Jaynes of Seguin. The Avalanche was told that Jaynes bought the land four years ago for approximately $5,400 an acre. Dixon says he has listed the land for $504,000 with a very aggressive Texas real estate company. The proposed sale price puts the per-acre value at about $13,200, an appreciation of $7,800, or 144 percent. Jaynes contacted Chuck Hunt, the historic site's superintendent, in December to inform Hunt that he has decided to list the tract for sale because he has decided to not locate in Fort Davis. The tract is about 250 feet from the boundary of the fort and about 660 feet from Davis Mountains State Park. Development of the bluff would likely have very negative impacts to the fort, Dixon said. Fort Davis residents contacted about the potential sale are not happy about the possibility. "We're very concerned about what's going to happen to the historic scene behind officer's row and the hospital," said Hunt. "We have photos showing this scenery dating back to the days of the fort. The scenery's practically the same today. "It would be tragic if we were to lose this historic backdrop. The scenery from Skyline Drive in Davis Mountains State Park could also be harmed. "That is a beautiful drive. We want to continue working with all interested partners to see if we can save this national treasure and at the same time satisfy all concern parties." "The views at Fort Davis are just as much a part of the experience of visitors as the fort itself," Dixon said. "We need to take care to ensure that these views are not marred by development. Any structure on the bluff would greatly impair the sense of history that the fort now offers. "We look forward to working with all parties to see that this property, adjacent to the park, is protected." The Avalanche was not able to contact Jaynes. Fort Davis honored, out-of-towner selling: Seguin man will sell to whoever meets his demands mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com National Trust honors Fort Davis; ceremony Saturday Avalanche staff Patterson puts off Christmas proposal Special to the Avalanche Analysys: Second in a series Avalanche staff mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com Highlights of the National Park Service's proposal € Facilities that are currently functional and in at least occasional use include an antenna system on the south peak, a rugged service road to the antenna site and several roads entering the property from Terlingua Ranch. |
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