Tracking the Texas Rangers

FOLLOW THE HISTORIC TRAILS OF THE LONE STAR LAWMAN THROUGH WEST TEXAS FROM SAN ANGELO TO EL PASO.

- Mike Cox

“They are having a lively time in Tom Green county,” reported the March 24, 1877 Daily Fort Worth Standard. “Six murders in three months and no arrests.”

Beyond the violence in and around San Angelo, “Organized bands of stock thieves exist in such numbers, and the county is so sparsely settled, that the laws cannot be enforced…” However, help was coming: “The citizens and officers of the county have forwarded a petition to Austin to have the State send Rangers to aid the civil authorities.”

Peaceful compared to frontier times, modern San Angelo makes a great starting place for Old West history buffs hankering to saddle up and backtrail the early Texas Rangers across West Texas.

Old Fort Concho, now a National Historic Site, is one of the West’s best-preserved frontier forts. Downtown, colorful murals depict the city’s history, and in the lobby of the public library is a life-sized statue of the late Western writer Elmer Kelton. Several of his best-selling novels featured the Rangers.

From San Angelo, head west on U.S. 67, which goes all the way to Presidio. But there are some historic places to visit before you get there.

West to Fort Stockton and Pecos

One hundred sixty-five miles southwest of San Angelo on U.S. 67 is Fort Stockton, named for the old military post standing near the once-prolific Comanche Springs. The Army chose the spot because it was a watering hole along the Great Comanche War Trail.