Fortin de la Cienega
Also known as: 41 Ps 37
Why it's listed
Fortin de la Cienega is an adobe ranch compound on Cienega Creek at the base of Cienega Mountain, northeast of Shafter in Presidio County, Texas. Milton Favor, who came to Texas from Virginia in 1854, built it around that year as one of three quadrangular adobe fortresses; the other two, at Big Springs Cibolo and La Morita, are largely destroyed. Favor set up what is presumed to be the first Anglo-American owned ranch in the Big Bend region and became a wealthy cattle baron, selling beef to the Army and reservation Indians and sending herds up the trails to Kansas markets. The compound originally had a rectangular wall, living quarters along the south side, storerooms and two corner tower bastions, which have since been removed. Despite remodeling, the west end keeps its original vigas, transoms, floor and roof, and stone-walled corrals remain nearby. The property is still lived in and ranched, and long occupation gives it archeological potential.
Significance in brief: It was one of three adobe fortresses built by Milton Favor, who established the presumed first Anglo-American owned ranch in the Big Bend region and became a wealthy cattle baron. The structure shows local responses to climate, culture and frontier hardship, and its west end keeps original vigas, transoms, floor and roof. Continuous occupation with little disturbance gives it archeological potential.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76002059, listed October 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 15 mi. NE of Shafter on Cienega Creek, Shafter |
|---|---|
| County | Presidio County |
| Listed | October 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002059 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Milton Favor |
| Architectural style | Vernacular - adobe construction |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence and still ranched; the house has been remodeled and the corner tower bastions removed, but original adobe walls and roof construction remain. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 29.80374, -104.21199 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76002059.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107322804
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.