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

"The Old Fort"

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

1. "The Old Fort" Marker

Inscription. This important Indian Wars Fort was active from 1867 to 1886. It was strategically placed at Comanche Springs to protect the San Antonio to El Paso mail, freight wagons, cattle drives and immigrants. The United States Army was charged by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to stop devastating raids into Mexico by Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa tribes, who traveled the infamous Comanche War Trail, which coursed south by this site. At its completion, the Fort comprised over thirty buildings, five of which were enlisted men's barracks and were placed on a north-south line, two of which have been reconstructed on original foundations. Both are open to the public and house the Fort Visitor Center and Museum. Kitchens were built behind the barracks, as well as two stables, which held 100 horses each. The one newly-constructed in 1868 was described by a reporter as, "The finest in the state."

Captions
Upper Center: 10th Cavalry on the Parade Ground
Lower Left: Fort grounds looking south - Hospital - Guard House - Courthouse
Lower Right: North end of Parade Grounds - Adjutant's Office, Granary, Quarter Master - Enlisted Men's Barracks

Erected by Fort Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 30° 53.341′ N, 102° 52.477′ W. Marker is in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and North St Gall Street, on the right when traveling east on East 5th Street. The marker is located along the highway at the entrance to the fort. 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: "Officer's Row" (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Enlisted Soldier (about 500 feet away); Fort Stockton Officers' Quarters (about 600 feet away); Hovey School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Stockton Guard House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Stephens, Hovey School, Rollins Sibley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Comanche Springs Pool & Pavilion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Stockton.

More about this marker. There is a duplicate of this marker on the other side of the fort.

Also see . . .
1. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Wikipedia

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

2. "The Old Fort" Marker

(Submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Historic Fort Stockton. Website homepage (Submitted on November 27, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The view of the "The Old Fort" and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 3, 2022

3. The view of the "The Old Fort" and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.