The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum, located at 301 S Main St. in Fort Stockton, offers visitors a glimpse into the heritage and development of the region. Originally built in 1899 as the Koehler Hotel, the adobe structure was purchased by Annie Frazier Johnson Riggs in 1904 and operated as a boarding house called the Riggs Hotel. Donated to the Fort Stockton Historical Society in 1955, the building now serves as the society’s headquarters and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The museum features 13 rooms and a hidden courtyard, displaying artifacts and exhibits that reflect Fort Stockton’s cultural and historical significance. Visitors can explore areas dedicated to archaeology, geology, religion, ranching, Hispanic heritage, and early businesses. Highlights include the parlor, lobby, dining room, and kitchen, which are filled with period photographs, collectibles, and furnishings.
One recreated hotel room features an iron bed ordered by Annie Riggs from Sears and Roebuck for $6.75, showcasing what a guest would have encountered in 1905. The kitchen houses Fort Stockton’s first electric stove, purchased by Riggs in 1922. Outside, an early 1900s buggy sits in the courtyard, and the East grounds feature a native Texas garden.
A fascinating piece of Pecos County history is also on display: a desk from the 1883 Pecos County Courthouse. The desk is tied to the unsolved 1894 murder of Sheriff A.J. Royal, whose bloodstains remain in the drawer. The circumstances surrounding Royal’s death, including the involvement of prominent Fort Stockton figures and Texas Rangers, remain one of the region’s enduring mysteries.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (call for updated hours). Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $2.00 for children aged 6-12, and free for children under 6.
For more information, contact the museum at (432) 336-2167 or via email at annieriggs@sbcglobal.net. Learn more about the museum and its exhibits at www.annieriggsmuseum.org.
