Saint Jo, Texas          Where the Chisholm Trail Cuts the California Road    

Museum of the Stonewall Saloon

Come visit the Stonewall Museum!

Museum hours are

Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday    10:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Plans for the Museum

After months of construction, the Stonewall Museum was open to visitors the first weekend in August, 2011.  Over 250 visitors have stopped by to see the museum in the first two weeks.  The first phase secured the building and renovated the downstairs. Many of the artifacts from the 1958 museum are on display. There is not enough space to display all of the items that were originally in the 1958 museum unless the museum is enlarged.  The directors would like to build an addition to the back of the saloon.  It would be two stories allowing access to the second story above the first floor.  This addition will include restrooms, air-conditioning, interior stairs and an elevator  to allow access to  the second floor and permit additional exhibit areas depicting a history of the late 1800's and Saint Jo's importance to the Chisholm Trail. To accomplish this goal, fund raising projects and a search for grants are under way.

Museum History

The old Stonewall Saloon was built in 1873 and was the first building to be erected in the town built by Irb Boggess and Peg Leg Fulton.  The Saloon was operated under the title of Boggess and Fulton and later dubbed The Stonewall Saloon.  Peg Leg Fulton was the curator of the Saloon. The Saloon according to stories was opened to accommodate the thirsty trail drovers, traveling on long cattle drives, headed to the Red River Stations on the Chisholm Trail.

In 1897 came county prohibition and caused the saloon to close on February 11, 1899.  Mr. Boggess used the building as his real estate office.  In 1905, James R. Wiley bought the building from Boggess and established the Citizens National Bank. The bank never prospered and in 1942,  H. D. Field Sr. bought the assets and closed it down. The building stayed in the Field estate and was rented for offices.   

In 1950's, H.D. Field Jr., purchased the building and restored it to a replica of the original saloon. It was opened in 1958 as the Stonewall Saloon Museum.  Many people loaned family pictures, history and heirlooms to the museum. The Saloon quickly became a tourist attraction and landmark for Saint Jo. The museum was sold by the Field family in 1996 and the new owners again restored it as a replica of an old time saloon.

In February 2011, the building was purchased by locals and the property put into a 501(c3) non-profit corporation with the intent of establishing a first class museum depicting the early days of Saint Jo, Head of Elm and the intersection of the Chisholm Trail and the California Trail.  For more Saint Jo history click here.

Stonewall Saloon Museum Association

In order to accomplish these goals and establish this museum as an important aspect of the Saint Jo Square, a tourist destination and feature of the area, we need your support. We have established the Stonewall Saloon Museum Association and want you to become an active member by making a contribution, monetarily and also with ideas, family stories or exhibits.

Trail Boss Level        $20,000

Lead Rider Level      $10,000

Top Hand Level         $  5,000

Wrangler Level          $  2,500

Drover Level              $  1,000

Annual Member         $     100

The Stonewall Foundation has been established for those donors providing continued support over time in excess of $20,000 as the Museum matures. Volunteers to help in the museum will be needed after it opens, and will be named after the famed Boggess Volunteers.

Please consider making a donation now as it will be important to have matching funds as the Board applies for grants to maintain the Museum and and fund the additional building restoration.

Make checks payable to: Museum of the Stonewall Saloon, Ltd.  

Contacts:  Janis Sneed: 940-995-7193

               llady1@netzero.com

               Dick Cain: 940-995-2121

Last modified: 2/20/12.                                                

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