Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Comanche Springs
Photographed By Brian Anderson, August 30, 2019
1. Site of Comanche Springs Marker
Used as a watering place and camping ground by Indians since pre-Columbian times, the springs were possibly visited about 1536 by Spaniard Cabeza de Vaca on his wanderings through Texas. The expedition of Juan de Mendoza, with his party of Spaniards and Jumano Indians, camped near the waters in 1684.
The six major, gushing springs and the beautiful river they formed resulted from water seeping up through geological faults to the earth's surface. The reservoir which supplied them was located in the formation known as "Trinity Sands".
The springs, among the largest in all Texas, were one of the few good watering places in this arid region. They supplied Indians raiding into Mexico on the nearby Comanche war trail and also gold seekers traveling to California on the southern route, 1849 and later. Butterfield Overland Mail stage stopped here as well, and after 1859 the springs provided water for Fort Stockton, which was founded both to protect the mail and stop the Comanche raids.
The springs began to be tapped for irrigation as early as 1875, but today irrigation projects to the north and west have reduced the
Photographed By Richard Denney
2. Site of Comanche Springs Marker
this page online
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4757.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, the Comanche Trail into Mexico, and the San Antonio-El Paso Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1536.
Location. 30° 53.118′ N, 102° 52.538′ W. Marker is in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. Marker is on Spring Drive near East 1st Street. The marker is on Spring Drive at the entrance to Rooney Park, Ft. Stockton. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Stockton TX 79735, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Comanche Springs Pool & Pavilion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Stephens, Hovey School, Rollins Sibley House (about 300 feet away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away); O. W. Williams (about 400 feet away); Koehler's Saloon and Store (about 400 feet away); Koehler's Store and Saloon - Comanche Springs (about 400 feet away); "The Old Fort" (about 500 feet away); Hovey School (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Stockton.
Also see . . . Comanche Springs from Handbook of Texas Online
Photographed By Brian Anderson, August 30, 2019
3. Site of Comanche Springs Marker
Photographed By Richard Denney, November 20, 2006
4. Marker in context of entrance to Rooney Park
Photographed By Richard Denney
5. Comanche Springs Swimming Pool
The main springs of Comanche Springs is now a swimming pool.
Photographed By Richard Denney, March 25, 2012
6. Comanche Springs Swimming Pool
Photo showing natural rock outcroppings that were part of the original main springs.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,534 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2. submitted on September 26, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 3. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 4. submitted on September 26, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 5, 6. submitted on September 24, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
