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Road condition information can be obtained at:  www.dot.state.tx.us 800-452-9292

Motor vehicle operators must have current liability insurance

All persons in the front seat, including one ton trucks, are required to wear a seatbelt

Anyone under 17 must wear seatbelt, no matter where they sit in the vehicle

No one under 18 shall be in the open bed of a vehicle or trailer

Car seats required for children under five or less than 36 inches

Motorcycle operators and passengers must wear helmets

Current weather conditions www.srh.noaa.gov

Texas Historical Commission www.thc.state.tx.us

 State Park reservations 512-389-8900, general information 800-792-1112    www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/admin/res

TEXAS   The Lone Star State

   Texas State Travel Guide, Dept. of Transportation, 150 E. Riverside, Austin, TX 78704

            visit TravelTex.com    800-452-9292

TEXAS   NATIONAL PARKS

   National Park Service PO Box 37127 Washington, D. C. 20013-7127

            202-208-4747   www.nps.gov

   Maps can be ordered from: USDA Forest Service, 701 N. First St., Lufkin, TX 75901

            936-639-8501 www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/texas

... In a nutshell Pecos might have been called "Crossroads", as it has been a crossroad for over land transportation lines for many, many years. It’s origins began because of the strategic location. Many of the old cattle and wagon trails such as the Butterfi eld Route, Chisholm Trail and Loving Goodnight Trail crossed here. There were a number of less famous trails coming into Pecos, some never having been named. The actual recorded beginning in Pecos was sometime around 1873, soon developing into a center for the various ranches in the area. It was considered nothing for a cowboy to ride 50 to 75 miles to spend his paycheck in the various saloons which comprised most of Pecos’ business district. Because of it’s strategic location, Pecos soon became the wholesale center for most of the small communities scattered throughout a 200 square mile radius. Wholesale and distribution, along with ranching were the mainstays of Pecos development until 1947. During World War II, Pecos was selected as the site for one of the largest B1-13 Training Centers in the United States. Pecos was selected as the site for this base because of the fl at terrain and weather conditions. According to the U.S. Air Force, Pecos has more fl ying days than any other location in the country, averaging 360 fl ying days per year. To this day, every other year, Pecos is the host of the Army Airfi eld Reunion, gathering people from all over the country. Until 1947, most of Pecos’ development had been along distribution lines, when a number of people realized that in the Pecos area there was a large supply of virgin land that would produce valuable crops in large quantities. There was a large quantity of underground water with which to irrigate the land. This water was available to anyone who would drill a well. The climate was very favorable to agriculture; the land was easily prepared for irrigation and there was a wonderful outlet by rail or highway for farm and ranch products. Farmers started buying up land and they were quickly followed, by others. In the late 60’s oil and gas exploration and production became very important to the Pecos economy. Many oil and gas companies had offi ces in Pecos and crews were based here. In the early 80’s there was an oil bust that affected all oil and gas exploration throughout the United States and most of the exploration was halted. Pecos Today Pecos is the County Seat fore Reeves County and has a broad based economy. In the area of agriculture, Pecos has cotton, feed grains, cattle, onions, cantaloupes and milk production. In the vegetable category, the Pecos Cantaloupe is world renowned. Pecan and pistachio growing is also being developed. Other major industries are, a major food processing plant and a battery recycling center. Tourism is becoming a major industry, due in large to our world famous cantaloupe and our West of the Pecos Museum.The Gentleman Gunfi ghter Born in Tennessee around 1840, legend says Clay Allison served the Confederacy as a spy. When captured, he escaped by slipping his unusually small hands though the manacles. Small or not, Clay Allison’s hands were adept enough with a six-shooter to outdraw and kill 20 men. It was said he earned the title of "Gentleman Gunfi ghter" because he never killed a man who didn’t need killing. The Clay Allison legend includes tales of gun fi ghts and escapades that range from a Dodge City showdown with Bat Masterson, to an encounter with Wyatt Earp, to a Bowie Knife fi ght in a freshly dug grave, with the winner shoveling the dirt in over the loser. Story-tellers agree that he was driving to his ranch from Pecos City in 1887 when he was pitched off his wagon and crushed under the wheels. They disagree whether or not he was sober. His grave is in the park area downtown near the West of the Pecos Museum. Rodeo "The History of the World’s First Rodeo" Just to think of rodeo time brings excitement to many people. Excitement was in the dusty air of Pecos in 1883 when a few cowboys met to fi nd out who was the best at riding and roping. From the beginning of time, there has been competition among men. So, it was with those horsemen who made a living in the daily chores about the ranch headquarters or trailing a herd of cattle in the wind, dust and rain storms. As these men crossed trails and met in places such as Pecos, there always came the question, "who is the best?" Trav Windham had become well known after driving cattle from Abilene to the Hashknife Ranch just north and west of Pecos. This ranch had been established as a place for cattle used to feed workers on the T & P Railroad: Which was moving west from Sweetwater. Deciding to quit the trail, Windham later became foreman for the Lazy Y outfit. Morg Livingston of the NA Ranch had earned a reputation as a roper. Both men had friends, but telling or bragging could not determine a winner. So it was decided that these two would meet in a contest. Word spread quickly and other cowboys also wanted to compete to prove their abilities. A place was chosen on the fl at land west of the river. History has it about where the present courthouse and law enforcement buildings are located. The time was chosen... July 4th. That was a holiday and most ranchers, cowboys and townspeople could attend. When that day came, there were horses, wagons and people walking... Coming from all directions to see what was going to happen and to fi nd out how their favorite cowboy would fair. Most stories about that day concerned the time it took Trav Windham to rope and tie his steer: 22 seconds, to win that event. Later Morg Livingston beat Windham in a matched roping. Before the day was over, cowboys from Hashknife, W, Lazy Y and the NA spreads were in the action. One story from that day named Pate Beard of the Hashknife and Jeff Chism as having walked away with honors.Others named were Jim Mannin, John Chalk, George Brookshire, Howard Collier, Jim Livingston, Brawley Oates, Jim and Henry Slack, E.P. Struckler and Henry Miller.

Col. Reeves lead his men in such famous battles as the 100 Day Siege of Atlanta. He also maintained his forces as they waged guerilla warfare on the armies of General Sherman as they made their infamous march to the sea.In 1874, Col. Reeves returned home where he was sent again to Austin. In 1881, he was elected Speaker of the House and continued in that role until his death in 1882. Shortly after his death, a petition from Toyah reached the legislature. In honor of the late Speaker of the House, a new county taken from Pecos County, would hold the name of Reeves. Named for a man who served the people in war and in peace. West of the Pecos Museum The city of Pecos, located near the Pecos River, is on the high prairie at the northern border of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is 210 miles east of El Paso, 3292 miles west of Fort Worth on I-20, about 168 miles north of Big Bend National Park and 85 miles south of Carlsbad Caverns. Pecos history begins with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, through the periods of the Indian migration, cavalry exploration, pioneer westward movement and the era of cattle trails. In 1881, the arrival of the Texas & Pacifi c Railroad ensured the future of Pecos as a commercial and agricultural center on the Fort Worth to El Paso route. The area developed a ranching industry and with the advent of modern irrigation methods, substantial farming interests. The T & P railroad’s dining cars served sweet Pecos Cantaloupe, bringing this delicacy its nationwide fame. The West of the Pecos Museum, the restored 19th century Orient Hotel with its adjoining saloon, was the scene in 1896 as Barney Riggs, a local man, killed outlaws Bill Earhart and John Denson after they threatened him. Bronze markers have been placed on the fl oor showing where the two fell. Today the Museum displays on three fl oors, a collection of pioneer artifacts and displays of railroad, rodeo and ranching memorabilia. Adjoining the Museum is a park including the grave of Clay Allison, the famous Pecos "Gentleman Gunfi ghter". The Museum underwent a half million dollar restoration for the fi rst time since being built in the late 80’s and is truly a treasure. Pecos is blessed with a solid, close knit community and prides itself on the fi nest in true West Texas hospitality. Pecos, Texas County Seat: Reeves County, Texas Population: 9,501 Area: 2642 square miles Elevation: 2617 feet Location in Miles to... Odessa, TX 76 miles Carlsbad, NM 82 miles El paso, TX 210 Miles San Angelo, TX 210 Miles Contact information Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB P.O. Box 27 Pecos, TX. 79772 432 445-2406 www.pecostx.com Email: staff@pecostx.com The West of the Pecos Museum P.O. Box 1784 Pecos, Texas 79772 432 445-5076 www.westofthepecosmuseum.com

Fort Belknap    

Fort Belknap was founded in 1851 and was the northern anchor of a chain of forts founded to protect the Texas frontier from the Red River to the Rio Grande.

Fort Chadbourne    

Fort Chadbourne is located between Abilene and San Angelo. Fort Chadbourne was established in 1852 to protect settlers moving west through Indian Territory. It also served as a stop for the Butterfield Overland Stage. 651 Fort Chadbourne Road
Bronte, Texas 76933
Phone: 325-743-2555
 

Fort Concho National Historic Landmark  

  Fort Concho is located in San Angelo. It was established in 1867 to protect frontier settlements, patrol and map the vast West Texas region and quell hostile threats in the area.

630 S. Oakes St.
San Angelo, Texas 76903
Phone: 325-481-2646

Fort Mason    

Fort Mason was established in 1851 as part of a line of army forts from the Rio Grande to the Red River to open new areas and provide protection for settlers.

204 West Spruce Street
Mason, Texas 76856
Phone: 325-347-5758

Fort McKavett State Historic Site    

Fort McKavett, located 22 miles southwest of Menard, was established in 1852. General William T. Sherman once called Fort McKavett "the prettiest post in Texas."

P O Box 68
Fort McKavett, Texas 76841
Phone: 325-396-2358

Fort Croghan
Fort Croghan was the third of the first four forts established by the U.S. government in the first quarter of 1849 to protect settlements from hostile Indians.  Fort Croghan Grounds and Museum are operated by the Burnet County Historical Commission and the Burnet County Heritage Society .