Crockett County covers nearly two million acres but has only one town, the vibrant county seat of Ozona. Pecan trees shade the quaint downtown square which boasts a bronze sculpture honoring pioneer families. There’s also a 1938 stone sculpture of county namesake and Alamo hero, David Crockett, that bears his motto: “Be sure you are right, then go ahead." Town founder E. M. Powell was sure right in the 1890s when his prolific water well attracted settlers to his new townsite. Overlooking today’s square is the American Gothic-style 1902 Crockett County Courthouse, designed by Oscar Ruffini and built of native limestone. Also facing the square is a 1926 church that later served as a hospital and courthouse annex, and now houses the three-story Crockett County Museum. More than a dozen rooms feature interpretive displays, including an award-winning Native American exhibit and a display on the Old Chihuahua Road, an ancient trail between Mexico and the Texas coast. Other rooms replicate a blacksmith shop, saddle room, kitchen and general store. One room chronicles the area’s rich mohair and sheep ranching heritage. Ozona’s 4,000-square-foot visitors center provides information and brochures on the entire Texas Pecos Trail Region.
