Old Pecos County jaiil now houses a law enforceent museum

Pecos County jail

The Pecos County Jail is a good place to learn about law and order in the Old West, namely Fort Stockton in West Texas. 

The jail, Fort Stockton’s second, began life in 1884. The two-story sandstone structure would be used until 2000. Prisoners were housed on the second floor, with the first floor set aside for offices for the sheriff and his deputies. The lower floor also contained the sheriff’s living quarters. 

The jail was enlarged in the early 1900s, but otherwise remains much as it was: stark with ugly cells that should have made people think twice about committing a crime. 

Today the jail houses a museum devoted to sheriffs and local law enforcement. It is located at 101 West Gallagher Street across from the county courthouse.  Free tours of the old jail are available by appointment only.

Sab Antonio River Walk: a Texas oasis

Like any big city, San Antonio, Texas, is a bustling place, filled with tall buildings and heavily trafficked streets.

Escaping this busy concrete jungle is easier than you might then.  Why drive miles out into the country when you can find an oasis in downtown San Antonio? Just head for River Walk.

River Walk is a series of waterways that runs several miles through San Antonio’s city center. It is second only to the Alamo in the hierarchy of the city’s top tourist attractions. As well it should be.

Wide sidewalks line both sides of the canal. There is lush greenery everywhere, plus fountains and islands used by tour boats to reverse their course. This isn’t Venice, but it’s easy to imagine a gondolier singing "Santa Lucia” as he glides his craft through the water.

Also lining the canal’s banks are shops, galleries, restaurants and bars, and major hotels. River Walk is indeed a world class entertainment center.

There are several public staircases linking the street to River Walk. You can also access it, as we did, from the lobby of a hotel. On-street parking can be difficult to find at times, so you may want to use a hotel’s parking lot.