Annie Riggs

Annie Stella Frazer Riggs was born in 1858 in New Mexico. Her father moved the family in 1866 to what was then called St. Gaul. The old civil war camp and fledgling town grew up around Comanche Springs. The Springs were a favorite stop on the Comanche Trail to Chihuahua. The citizens later renamed the town Fort Stockton, after the famous Admiral Robert F. Stockton. Annie grew up a true pioneer, hardworking and innovative. She was influenced by the presence of the Buffalo Soldier Fort (1867-1886), typical wild west violence and revenge, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. 

Annie married twice and mothered ten children, as well as caring for the son of her second husband, Barney K. Riggs. Barney Riggs was a notorious outlaw/lawman who put down the Miller gang in the Frazer/Miller feud. Barney was killed by Annie’s son-in-law, Buck Chadborne, who was executor of Annie and Barney’s divorce settlement. As they argued, Barney reached for his cane, Buck thought he reached for his gun and shot Barney. Annie was awarded Barney’s estate and she bought the Koehler Hotel, later named the Riggs Hotel. 

Annie was a devout Catholic, influenced by her best friend Doña Matilda Piña. She bought the first electric stove in Fort Stockton, and even bought a car in the very early days of the innovation. She could play the piano. Annie never turned away anyone in need. She was forward thinking, kind, and generous. Her name is the only woman’s name recorded on the list of financial investors in the Orient Railroad effort.

Annie died in 1931. The family continued to run the hotel until 1955 when it was donated to the city of Fort Stockton. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.