The city of Pecos, located on the Pecos River, in on the high prairie at the northern border of the Chihuahua Desert. It is 208 miles east of El Paso and 392 miles west of Fort Worth on I-20; about 168 miles north of Big Bend National Park and 85 miles south of Carlsbad Caverns.Pecos' history begins with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, through the periods of Indian migration, cavalry exploration, pioneer westward movement, and the era of cattle trails.
In 1881, the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad ensured the future of Pecos as a commercial and agricultural center on the Fort Worth to El Paso route. The area developed a ranching industry and, with the advent of modern irrigation methods, substantial farming interest. The T & P railroad's dining cars served sweet Pecos cantaloupe, bringing this delicacy its nationwide fame.
In 1883, on July 4, the world's first rodeo was held in Pecos. Today, the West of the Pecos Rodeo and attendant activities are held annually around July 4.
The West of the Pecos Museum, the restored 19th century Orient Hotel with its adjoining saloon, was the scene in 1896 as Barney Riggs, a local man, killed outlaws Bill Earhart and John Denson after they threatened him. Bronze markers have been placed on the floor showing where those two fell.
Pecos is blessed with a solid, close-knit community that prides itself on progress and the finest in West Texas hospitality.