|
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum (top) and Guardhouse (bottom) in Fort
Stockton Historic District Courtesy
of the Fort Stockton Historical Society |
Fort Stockton was one of several U.S. Army outposts established on the
western frontier of Texas in 1858. The site was the location of "Comanche
Springs," a major source of water for local tribes and settlers.
The fort provided protection for settlers, as well as the San Antonio-El
Paso road. The buildings in the historic district represent a frontier
settlement that developed around a military outpost. The fort and buildings
thrived until the Civil War, when the fort was abandoned to Confederate
forces. Buildings associated with the fort and early development of the
community include: three adobe structures, constructed between 1867 and
1868, used as the Officers' Quarters; the Guardhouse, built
in 1868; the 1894 Koehler store; the Grey Mule Saloon, constructed
in the 1880s to serve the troops stationed at Fort Stockton; and the c.1900
Annie Riggs Hotel, an early frontier establishment.
The Fort Stockton Historic District is located at the east edge of the
town of Fort Stockton off I-10. The Annie Riggs Hotel is operated as
the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum at 301 S. Main St. and is open from
10:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Saturday, and from June-August also open Sunday
10:00am to 5:00pm. For further information, visit the city of
Fort Stockton's website.
|