Historic Fort Stockton

Historic Fort Stockton is located on the east side of town at the intersection of Fifth and Rooney streets. Today the site includes three buildings from the original Officers’ Row (one is a private residence), the original limestone Guard House, two reconstructed Enlisted Men’s Barracks and Kitchens, and the original parade ground. Military presence began here with the establishment of Camp Stockton in 1858 by troops of from the 1st and 8th Infantry, US Army. This first site was southwest of the present location, near the Pecos County Courthouse. The post protected travelers and settlers on the numerous roads and trails (including the stage lines) heading west to Mexico and California from San Antonio. The abundant water supply of Comanche Springs made Fort Stockton a regular stop on these frontier crossroads, and it was here that these trails intersected the Comanche War Trail.