Fort Stockton started out as a Spanish mission called St. Gall in the 18th century. The Spanish left when the Comanche Springs (the springs were pumped dry in the 1950s following a long drought and never returned).
In 1840 the US Army established Camp Stockton at the intersection of the San Antonio-Chihuahua Trail and the Comanche War Trail to protect settlers from Indian attacks. The camp closed at the outbreak of the Civil War, but reopened as Fort Stockton in 1867. The Army left again in 1886 but the town retained the name and developed into a prosperous ranching and farming community.
When oil and natural gas deposits were discovered in nearby fields in the 20s, the local economy shifted toward the energy industry.
Paisano Pete, the World's Largest Roadrunner makes his home here. He is 10 feet tall and 22 feet long.