Fort Stockton’s Old West Gem
by Jim N. Hammond
T
he town of Fort
Stockton is indeed
an old west town.
The historic downtown
area mixes charm and
legend with a laidback
atmosphere. Many old
buildings still stand as a
testament to the grit and
steadfastness of the pio-
neers, each with its own
unique story to tell. The
stories relate to a past that
at times was harsh and at
other times, rather amus-
ing. And yes there is a
Fort here, and its history
is just as colorful.
The immediate area
around Fort Stockton has
been home to native peo-
ples dating back to antiq-
uity. The natural springs,
known as Comanche
Springs, brought in
ancient fauna and men
on the hunt followed the
game. The centuries that
followed brought a curi-
ous change to the isolated springs we
now call home. Spanish explorers
stopped here on their expeditions to
take advantage of the abundance of
water. Onate and de Sosa both men-
tion stopping in the area in the 1500s.
A popular place to stop for those
Comanche on the war trail to Mexico,
the oasis provided a cool drink, shade
and rest. The area became a popular
stop on the Salt Trail and then part of
the Chihuahua Trail. Eventually peo-
ple began to settle around the springs.
As the population increased, and to
uphold an agreement in the Treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo, it became neces-
sary to protect those in the area from
the marauding Comanche. Fort
Stockton was officially established in
1858 and although a few families had
already settled the area, the presence of
a fort helped to spur population
growth. The fort was abandoned in
1886 but by that time the town had
already established its roots.
On top of the hill directly north-east
18
of the courthouse in Pecos County sits a
century-old Victorian structure, built
out of adobe and stucco, decorated in
the original gingerbread style. The
building, which operated as a frontier
hotel in times past, is now a museum.
Each room holds a different exhibit
telling the story of Fort Stockton’s past.
As you walk through the rooms you get
a sense that you have stepped back in
time. You can hear the stories of cow-
boys and soldiers and begin to under-
stand the rich history the town possesses.
When Pecos County was organized
in 1875, Fort Stockton was named the
county seat. As population increased
the need to establish a hotel became
apparent. Around 1898 four business-
men pooled their resources together
and created the Fort Stockton Hotel
Company. Early the next year con-
struction started on a one-story adobe-
walled hotel, consisting of 15 rooms. It
took on the moniker of the Koehler
Hotel to honor Herman Koehler, busi-
nessman and former owner of the
Cenizo
Third Quarter 2013
good. The cast of charac-
ters that flowed through
the hotel must have been
quite amazing; rowdy
cowboys stumbling in
from the saloon surely
caused Mrs. Riggs a few
moments of concern.
During the great depres-
sion, many bullets were
pulled out of the adobe
walls on the porch. In one
instance a shot was fired
from a .45. The bullet
missed its target, rico-
cheted off the kitchen
door and lodged in the
chimney.
Barney Riggs, Annie’s
ex-husband, drew his last
breath in the old hotel.
Buck Chadborn, Annie's
son-in-law, acted as the
administrator in the
divorce settlement. The
relationship
between
Barney
and
Buck
had
Photo by Jim Hammond
never
been
stable.
Buck
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum today.
claimed Barney had
property the hotel now occupies. Mrs.
abused and disrespected him and
Annie Riggs bought the property in
Annie's family. The tension finally
1904 for a grand total of $4,500 and
reached its boiling point in April of
changed the name to the Riggs Hotel.
1902, when Buck drove his buggy into
The ceilings are 14 feet high and
town to pick Annie and the kids up for
advertisements of the day boasted of
a visit to the Chadborn place. He
the coolest rooms in town. Indeed, dur-
arrived at the home where Annie was
ing the summer the rooms still stay at
staying. This home, known as “The
least 10 degrees cooler than outside.
Oldest House,” still stands southwest of
The huge porch that wraps around the
the courthouse. Barney stumbled out of
hotel invites passersby to stop and take
a nearby saloon on a march to confront
a break. One article from the 1911 Fort
Buck. As Barney approached the
Stockton Pioneer reads, “Hot weather
buggy, cursing and waving his cane, he
will soon be here and a number of the
reached into his coat. Fearing Barney
public know of the large, cool rooms
was going for his gun, Buck lunged for
and delightful porches. Come where
his own gun in the buggy, pulled it up
you can enjoy the ‘Good Ole Summer
and shot Barney near the heart. Barney
Time.’” Coal oil lamps were used for
staggered toward the arroyo behind the
lighting at night and wood stoves in
school (still standing and known as the
every room kept patrons warm.
“Oldest Schoolhouse”) and collapsed.
Mrs. Riggs served three meals a day
Mrs. Riggs had him taken to the hotel
at a cost of 35¢ a meal. It is said that
and placed in room number seven,
many of the local cowboys and ranch-
known now as the Archaeology Room.
ers would come in to town and visit the
He died a short time later, cussing Buck
hotel because the food prepared by
with his last breath.
Mrs. Riggs and her daughters was so
Directly across the street from the