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

Koehler's Store and Saloon - Comanche Springs

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

1. Koehler's Store and Saloon - Comanche Springs Marker

Inscription. Built in 1878, Koehler's Store was a one-story masonry building. By 1884, the store had expanded to include a store, bank and saloon. The second floor was added in the 1930s as a WPA project. Today Pecos County owns the building and it serves as the Small Community Hall. Comanche Springs was at one time the third largest source of spring water in Texas. A military fort founded in 1859 and named for Robert Field Stockton was founded near the springs. Comanche Springs was a favorite rest stop on the Comanche Trail to Chihuahua, the Old San Antonio Road, the Butterfield Overland Mail route, and the San Antonio-Chihuahua freightwagon road. There were numerous springs in the Comanche Springs system. The one opposite Koehler's Store is named the Blue Hole.

Captions
Upper Left: Koehler Store on left, saloon and gambling house on right - 1885
Lower Left: Relaxing in front of Koehler Store along Comanche Springs circa 1900
Upper Right: 1897 interior Koehler Store, which later became Rooney Mercantile
Lower Right: Water running at Comanche Springs circa 1890

Erected by Historic Ft. Stockton Driving Tour. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles

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• Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 30° 53.06′ N, 102° 52.589′ W. Marker is in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. It is at the intersection of South Spring Street and South Rooney Street, on the left when traveling north on South Spring Street. The marker is located in front of the dry Comanche Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Stockton TX 79735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Koehler's Saloon and Store (a few steps from this marker); Site of Comanche Springs (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Young's Store (about 500 feet away); O. W. Williams (about 500 feet away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Comanche Springs Pool & Pavilion (about 700 feet away); St. Stephens, Hovey School, Rollins Sibley House (about 700 feet away); "The Old Fort" (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Stockton.

Also see . . . Explore Fort Stockton: A Driving Tour Through History. Big Bend Times website entry (Submitted on November 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Koehler's Store and Saloon - Comanche Springs Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

2. The Koehler's Store and Saloon - Comanche Springs Marker

The view of the Koehler's Store and Saloon and Comanche Springs (dry spring) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

3. The view of the Koehler's Store and Saloon and Comanche Springs (dry spring)

The historic photo of Comanche Springs from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

4. The historic photo of Comanche Springs from the marker

The view of Koehler's Store and Saloon from the spring image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

5. The view of Koehler's Store and Saloon from the spring

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 311 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.