On our way to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, we stopped at Fort Stockton, Texas to tour Old Fort Stockton, an old Army post. Originally called Camp Stockton, it was established in 1858 by troops of from the 1st and 8th Infantry, US Army.
The original site was located southwest of the present location, near the Pecos County Courthouse. You can tour the grounds and buildings for a small fee. The site includes three buildings from the original Officers’ Row, one of which is a private residence, the original Guard House, two reconstructed Enlisted Men’s Barracks and Kitchens, and the original parade ground.
Old Fort Stockton Guard House
Old Historic Fort Stockton Guard House (Prisoner Area)
Old Historic Fort Stockton Enlisted Men’s Barracks
History of Old Fort Stockton
Camp Stockton protected travelers and settlers heading west to Mexico and California from San Antonio. In 1861 the US Army withdrew from Camp Stockton and Confederate Soldiers moved in, however, it was short-lived. By the end of the Civil War, little remained of the original post.
Old Fort Stockton was re-established (at its present location) in 1867 by Colonel Edward Hatch, Commander of the 9th Cavalry. The fort was occupied for nineteen years from 1867-1886. In 1886 it was finally abandoned for good.
Our Thoughts
Definitely worth the visit if you are a history buff or love visiting old forts. Several of the buildings are still intact and you are able to tour them. Some are private residences so you can only admire from outside. Bring your camera and cash. THEY ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY!
While you are in the area, check out the Old Fort Stockton Cemetery too! It’s located just down the road from the old fort.
Information
Address: Intersection of 5th & Rooney
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Admission: Small Fee, payable at the gift shop
Distance From Fort Hood: 5 hours * 330 Miles
This looks so interested! I have no personal connections to the army or any other armed forces whatsoever, but still find these kind of places super fascinating! The reconstruction of the enlisted men’s barracks look exactly the same as how such room is depicted on TV shows and films from this century and the last. It’s great to know that those kind of things are at least partially based on factual information.
I find them fascinating as well! All historical places I do! I always try and imagine what it would have been like to live back then!
Love historical places like this!
Love the history – maybe one of these days I’ll go to Texas…
Sounds like a nice combination to visit both the fort and the cemetery. I am not a history buff but I think I would enjoy seeing both of these. The fort seems to have been preserved quite well and would surely be a glimpse into how life was lived there. Thanks for the informative post.
Nice little history read. Some nice photos to go with it.
My parents are from Texas and I have been through Pecos county! I have not stopped into the Old Fort Stockton, and I had not even heard of this. I can only imagine walking through the guard house, and your pictures look great. I will have to add this and the cemetery on my next visit.
Thank you! It was a pretty cool place for a quick visit! Is it bad that I had a split second thought to put my husband (who is in the picture of the guard house) in those chains lol. After we left I looked at the picture and wondered what you would have to do back then to be put in chains instead of just in the room with the other prisoners!
I make a point to visit historical destinations when I road trip so I love reading about them. I have no idea when I’ll make it to Texas but I will keep this in mind!
1858 is quite a way back for American history. I’d visit Fort Stockton because it looks like an interesting building to photograph. I can imagine it gets super hot in summer!
What an interesting spot to visit. I love places like this versus the bigger historical attractions sometimes because you get such insight into the bones of a destination. And I love your travel tips!
Thank you! I do too! Plus you don’t have to deal with the crowds!
The barracks look like a hostel! Haha. You put a lot of great info into this – thanks for doing all the research! Good to know that it’s closed on Sundays too, I feel like I always plan things for Sunday and then later find out it’s closed then. Thanks for sharing!
Boy do those beds look comfortable!! Hahaha can’t imagine having to sleep on those yearround!
I know a few people who would really appreciate this! I look forward to doing some historical tours as an educational tool for our children as they get a little older :-) These barracks are much prettier than I ever would have imagined!
Wow, there is so much history to this place. The next time I am in San Antonio visiting my friend, I would definitely plan a visit to the place. The barracks look so neat and clean. I hope they were so clean when they were actually being used. :)