Is Fort Concho/Historic San Angelo Worth the Drive from Abilene En Route to Fort Stockton?? (Alamo: hotels, living)

[fallguy]

Hi-
Is Fort Concho/Historic San Angelo Worth the Drive from Abilene En Route to Fort Stockton??

I've been to San Angelo once (9.12.04) as an undergrad at TX TECH (Class of May 2005 B.S. Human Dev. & Fam. Studies). My more-directional roomate who took me to San Angelo does not care about historic stuff so we missed Fort Concho/Historic San Angelo.

I've never been to Fort Stockton. I've only been near there en route to The West of the Pecos Museum in Pecos FBI — Federal Bureau of Investigation Homepage 1.28.06 IMHO, Texas' Best Museum!!

Thanks,
fallguy

[case44]

Well, fallguy, if you're going to Fort Stockton from Abilene, it's very likely you'll be taking a route to tie you with U.S. 67 (I would take U.S. 83), which would lead to San Angelo and, ultimately, I-10, which would take you to Fort Stockton. There's no rule that says you have to always take I-20 to Monahans and then drop down when there are places off the beaten path that you can see.

In other words, it's on the way. You can stop there.

[loves2read]

we went there
we liked it
small fort--not a big attraction like the Alamo but interesting insight into what a real frontier fort was like
did not spend any time in the town
texas monthly did an article about it some time ago--might try search in their archives
if you are going that way think it would definitely be worth a stop

[leorah]

We spent a few days in San Angelo a couple of years ago. We stopped at Ft.Concho for a walk-thru and ended up spending hours with the most interesting guide. It's definitely worth visiting the fort. If you have a chance, stop in at the Cactus Hotel and see one of Conrad Hilton's first hotels. It's beautiful.

[JamesAbilene]

I agree Fort Concho is interesting. My wife and I like to go to historic downtown San Angelo also. There are some beautiful old areas worth visiting. Getting from Abilene to San Angelo can be done by going down U.S. 277 which goes through the hills (some call them mountains) between the cities and offers awesome views of the wind farms southwest of town. However, through the hills, because of curves, the speed limit is low (55 in many areas). Going down Highway 83 is quicker but not as scenic. If you have time, take Highway 277 as parts of the drive are really beautiful. There is only one town (Bronte) between the cities going that direction, so load up on drinks and gasoline when you leave the Abilene/View/Caps area.

[case44]

Originally Posted by case44

.........it's very likely you'll be taking a route to tie you with U.S. 67 (I would take U.S. 83), which would lead to San Angelo and, ultimately, I-10, which would take you to Fort Stockton.

Whoops. My fault. I forgot U.S. 277. It's straight shot to San Angelo on that one highway, and then 67 to I-10 and Fort Stockton.

Face it, I'm 41, and yet, my age is showing.

[charleslhale]

Fort Concho is very interesting and one of the best preserved forts in the country.
There are even reinactments done every so often. sanangelo.com has info on the fort and more. The barracks and furnishing are genuine for the era.

[wade_word]

Fort Concho is a bit overrated. I bet a lot of people don't know it even exists. But my cousin loves Lake Nasworthy, which as you know, is in San Angelo. That's for those of you that don't know where it is. He likes taking his boat out there to tear up some serious waves there. I wouldn't mind doing that myself.

[Rathagos]

To answer this, I guess my reply is it depends. If it was me, I wouldn't spend the 90 minute drive just to come to San Angelo to visit Fort Concho unless (as previously stated) it's on one of the Fort's event weekends. They fire the cannons and people dress up in traditional costumes. If you don't want to bustle and just an everyday visit with a tour, I would recommend combining it with other things (like a stay near Lake Nasworthy). But to be honest, I don't know if it's worth the 1-day round trip it would take to drive down. The Fort (although interesting to us living here in San Angelo) is not as large as the Alamo.

Here's a site to give you some information and a schedule of events. Welcome to Fort Concho If you come down, I hope our city gives you a nice visit!

[loves2read]

Fort Concho is totatlly something different from the Alamo--the Alamo was a mission that wound up being such an important battle site by accident
Fort Concho was one of the real outposts of civilization on the Texas frontier--and it is great to visit it when it is NOT crowded--much more peaceful and able to get some great photos--of course a reenactment weekend would be interesting...

to be honest or more complete--we stopped there on driving vacation across TX to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and up northward through Santa Fe to Denver to visit friends--we did not go there JUST for the fort