Jeff Davis County was carved from Presidio County in 1887

The Texas Legislature created Jeff Davis County on March 15, 1887. It was split off from Presidio County. Fort Davis became the county seat.

The county was named for Jefferson Davis. He served as Secretary of War under President Pierce. He later became president of the Confederacy. The Army post at Fort Davis was also named for him when it was built in 1854.

Ranchers began moving into the Davis Mountains in the 1880s. Around the same time, the Southern Pacific Railroad came through the area. The railroad bypassed Fort Davis and ran through Valentine and Marfa instead. That decision shaped the county's economy for generations.

Today ranching and tourism are the main economic activities. The Handbook of Texas from the Texas State Historical Association has a full county history.