Fort Stockton TX

We have stopped in Fort Stockton for some sight seeing before we head into Big Bend Nat. Park.

We were somewhat disappointed with what was there. We visited the U.S. Army Fort and The Annie Riggs Museum. The Fort was built on the Chihuahua Trail. The springs which once flowed over 80 million gallons of water daily, served the Fort and later the town with all the water they needed. It was widely known as a way station along several well traveled routes. The Butterfield overland mail route, and the Great Comanche War Trail, and many others used this stopping point. Fort Stockton was founded in 1858. In 1912 the railroad came, in 1926 oil was discovered, the fourth largest oil reserve bringing many boom towns to the area. The seven year drought of the 50's coupled with increased irrigation brought an end to the famed Comnanche Springs, as the water table dropped and the springs ceased flowing. On to Big Bend area tomorrow.