Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Visitor Center

cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), December 25, 2015

1. Visitor Center Marker

Inscription.

Visitor Center. . The Fort Stockton Visitor Center is located in the original Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad Depot constructed in 1911. The city secured the depot in 1991 and rehabbed the building to become the community’s official “Tourism Center.” The Visitor Center Depot houses information regarding Fort Stockton and other tourism destinations. The center is currently home to the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation and the Fort Stockton Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The first train arrived in Fort Stockton in 1912 and the rail proved to be successful for many years. The rail changed hands several times before Texas became involved in the preservation and operation of the rail line. In 1989 the Commission provided a $3 million secured grant to the South Orient Rural Rail Transportation District towards the purchase from the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. In return for the grant, TxDOT received the existing right-of-way for the rail line and a security interest in the installed rails and ties. By 1998 the operators of the rail, the South Orient Railroad Company, filed an abandonment application with the STB. In 1999 the Texas legislature appropriated $6 million towards the $9.5 million purchase price of the rail line from SORC. The South Orient line is one of only seven rail gateways between the United States and Mexico and has the potential to relieve some of the congestion at other border crossings through the diversion of rail traffic to the gateway at Presidio/Ojinaga. The 391-mile long line is the only significant amount of rail owned by the state of Texas., Captions (top to bottom): , . Train Depot prior to second story removal, 1912 , . Train arriving in Fort Stockton, October 26, 1912 , . Train Depot plans, 1910 . This historical marker was erected by Historic Fort Stockton Driving Tour . Fort Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is in Fort Stockton in Pecos County Texas

The Fort Stockton Visitor Center is located in the original Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad Depot constructed in 1911. The city secured the depot in 1991 and rehabbed the building to become the community’s official “Tourism Center.” The Visitor Center Depot houses information regarding Fort Stockton and other tourism destinations. The center is currently home to the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation and the Fort Stockton Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The first train arrived in Fort Stockton in 1912 and the rail proved to be successful for many years. The rail changed hands several times before Texas became involved in the preservation and operation of the rail line. In 1989 the Commission provided a $3 million secured grant to the South Orient Rural Rail Transportation District towards the purchase from the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. In return for the grant, TxDOT received the existing right-of-way for the rail line and a security interest in the installed rails and ties. By 1998 the operators of the rail, the South Orient Railroad Company, filed an abandonment application

cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), December 25, 2015

2. Visitor Center Marker

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with the STB. In 1999 the Texas legislature appropriated $6 million towards the $9.5 million purchase price of the rail line from SORC. The South Orient line is one of only seven rail gateways between the United States and Mexico and has the potential to relieve some of the congestion at other border crossings through the diversion of rail traffic to the gateway at Presidio/Ojinaga. The 391-mile long line is the only significant amount of rail owned by the state of Texas.

Captions (top to bottom):
• Train Depot prior to second story removal, 1912
• Train arriving in Fort Stockton, October 26, 1912
• Train Depot plans, 1910

Erected by Historic Fort Stockton Driving Tour • Fort Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 30° 53.653′ N, 102° 52.71′ W. Marker is in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Dickinson Boulevard (U.S. 285), on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is near the rear parking lot of the Fort Stockton Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 E Railroad Ave, Fort Stockton TX 79735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Oil and Gas Industry in Pecos County (within shouting distance of this marker); Comanche Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); The 9th Cavalry, Fort Stockton and Edward Hatch (within shouting distance of this marker); Pecos County Fort Stockton Renewable Energy Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Prairie Schooner" and Early Settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Comanche War Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Fort Stockton (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fort Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Stockton.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.