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FORT STOCKTON,
TEXAS
Pecos
County Seat, West Texas
30°53'29"N 102°53'6"W (30.891383, -102.885032)
I-10, Hwys 18, 385, and 285
48 miles NE of Alpine
58 miles N of Marathon
65 miles NW of Sanderson
238 miles E of El Paso
310 miles W of San Antonio
ZIP code 79735
Area code 432
Population: 8,466 (2020)
8,283 (2010) 7,846 (2000) 8,524 (1990) |
"You Can't
See Me".
A cow on the range in Fort Stockton
Photo courtesy John Stankewitz |
Namesake
of Fort Stockton:
Robert
F. Stockton by Byron Browne
Robert Stockton’s life was one of those extraordinary events that
persuades and affects the lives of, not only those who were contemporaries,
but also the generations that follow. |
Fort Stockton
West End Silhouettes
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, October 2012 |
Fort Stockton
East End Silhouettes
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, October 2012 |
Fort Stockton,
Texas
Landmarks & Attractions
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The courthouse
square also includes the first school (also 1883) and the
"Zero Stone" which was a base point from which all West
Texas land surveys originated (stone placed in 1859).
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Annie
Riggs Museum c.1899
Just across from the Courthouse you'll find the Annie Riggs Museum
- a building that seems like you've seen it before. This was once
a stage stop and hotel. It's now open as a museum. Admission. |
| "The Annie
Riggs Museum in Fort Stockton. Built in 1900 as the Adobe Hotel, the
museum houses not only 19th- early 20th century Pecos county artifacts
but also curates an Archaeological Room which contains Columbian period
Mammoth tusk."
- Byron
Browne, July 2007 photo |
The Pecos
County Jail
The shady lawn and the vegetation on the courthouse square comes as
a surprise. The Pecos County Jail is probably the most attractive
in the state and if it wasn't for the bars, it might easily be mistaken
for a home. |
"Arrival
of first Passenger Train in Ft. Stockton, Nov. 10th, 1912"
Clcik on image to enlarge
Photo courtesy Dan
Whatley Collection |
The Hovey schoolhouse
was moved onto Ft. Stockton's Historical Center, on the Old Fort grounds
in 1987.
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, 2008 |
Historic Fort
Stockton
Photographer's
Note:
"The historic portion of Fort Stockton, Texas. Barracks, stables,
officer’s quarters make up this small section of town dating back
to the nineteenth century. When coming into town this area is fraternally
located next to the not-quite-as-historic downtown area. This part
of town is located away from the interstate and was, at least by ourselves,
overlooked for some time." - Byron
Browne, July 2007 |
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The
restored guardhouse at old Ft. Stockton
Photo Courtesy Jason
Penney |
Historic Fort
Stockton
Photo courtesy Byron
Browne, July 2007 |
Fort
Stockton (the military installation) is only a stone's throw from
Paisano Pete or downtown. Several buildings are restored and some
are the original adobe structures.
Not far from the Fort is the Old Fort Cemetery. Follow the
signs. |
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The
Oldest House in Ft. Stockton is an adobe structure that has had a
roof built over it to prevent additional deterioration. Just SW of
the Courthouse
TE Photo |
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The
favorite photo opportunity West of Ozona
Paisano Pete: World's Largest Roadrunner
Photo Courtesy Jason
Penney |
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The Episcopal Church shows the simple yet detailed architecture style
of the late 19th century
Photo Courtesy Jason
Penney
More Texas
Churches |
Comanche Springs:
In James Rooney Memorial County Park -
Just east of the courthouse square. Comanche Springs was an oasis
for animals and humans alike. This made it an excellent hunting ground
for the aboriginals and a logical spot for a stagecoach stop and military
installation. Although there is a large pool in the park, the springs
themselves have dried up due to pumping for irrigation purposes. |
"Comanche
Spring, Fort Stockton, Texas
Daily flow 21 million gallons"
Vintage photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
Fort Stockton
in 1884
Photo courtesy Fort Concho Museum |
Fort
Stockton Tourist Information
Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce:
1-800-336-2166
Visitor's Information Center:
915-336-8052
See Pecos County |
1940s Texas map showing Pecos
County
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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