John Nelson Davis, for whom Mt. Davis, Pa. is named, was an early community leader in southern Somerset County. He was a surveyor, school teacher, Superintendent of Schools for Elk Lick Township, Pa., an ordained minister, shake maker, and farmer, and during the Civil War he served as 1st. Sergeant of Company 'K', 171st. Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was one of the last surviving Civil War veterans of this area. A naturalist, he was fascinated with Mt. Davis and the High Point throughout his life. Most of the land was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from Mr. Emma Humes in 1929, with smaller parcels purchased from the Davis heirs in 1921 and 1942. In 1974, the 581 acres surrounding the High Point was set aside as the Mt. Davis Natural Area.