James Rooney Memorial County Park holds the remnants of the Comanche Springs system … one time the third largest source of spring water in Texas. In the early 1900’s the nine springs that comprise the system had a combined flow of more than 80 million gallons of water a day.

If oil and gas keeps Fort Stockton going today, it was water that gave it life. Located in the heart of town, the Comanche Springs system made the area an oasis … all trails crossed here and it became the logical spot for a frontier army post and a stagecoach stop. In 1875 entrepreneurs channeled the water to the surrounding area for irrigated farming. Tragically, by 1961 the springs had dried up as the water table shrunk from over use. The folks of Fort Stockton consoled themselves by building a magnificent Olympic size pool over the ancient springs. We were unable to get inside the facility to take a picture ... so we had to settle with peering through the fence.

James Rooney Memorial County Park is a maze of irrigation canals and dried up springs such as this one known as Blue Hole.

Named for Commodore Robert Field Stockton, a naval officer who distinguished himself during the Mexican War, Fort Stockton was active for less than twenty years …1867 to 1886.

The troops stationed at Fort Stockton were busy. They protected not only travelers, settlers, freight wagons and mail stages, but quelled Indian raids into Mexico on the infamous Comanche War Trail. The Comanches were notorious for demanding ransom for the young children and women hostages they stole on these raids … it is estimated that over the years they seized a total of 20,000 Anglo and Mexican hostages.

Of the forts original 35 buildings, only four remain: the Guardhouse and three of the eight Officers quarters. Pictured above is the original Guardhouse.

The Guardhouse was one of the first buildings constructed at the fort. The chains hanging from the stone wall are reminders of how harsh Army discipline could be.

The enlisted men’s barracks were stark. It always amazes us how short the beds were.

One of the Officers' Quarters has been restored to its 1870's appearance … one room was left bare of interior plaster to reveal the construction.

The small museum traces the history of the fort. What fascinated us most was that about 87 percent of all soldiers garrisoned here were black enlisted men, known as Buffalo Soldiers.

On the dusty parade grounds is a wagon that was used in two John Wayne movies ... The Comancheros ... and Undefeated.

Built in 1896, St. Stephen Episcopal Church was one of the first Protestant churches west of the Pecos River. Danny chuckled when he saw that the pastor’s nickname is “Punky.”

The Old Fort Cemetery was used for both military and civilians. The most interesting headstone was that of Sheriff A. J. Royal ... with an inscription that says "assassinated".

We were struck by what seemed to be an inordinate number of motel rooms in Fort Stockton … many of the rooms are in vintage motels like the Comanche. We learned that all the rooms in town are filled with oilfield workers since no other housing is available.

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