Officers' Quarters 1
Construction on Officers' Quarters 1 began in 1870 and was complete in May 1872. Construction was delayed in order to finish the enlisted men's quarters and guardhouse. Dr. Notson reported that in May, 1872, the house had been occupied by the commanding officer. The first occupant was probably Major John P. Hatch. Officers' Quarters 1 served as the home of many commanding officers. Colonel Grierson lived in the house for the longest period. Prior to this the post commander had occupied Officers' Quarters 3. Colonel Grierson moved into Officers' Quarters 1 in April, 1875. In two letters reprinted below the colonel described his home to his wife. Mrs. Grierson and their three children joined Colonel Grierson in September and lived in Officers’ Quarters 1 until his transfer to Fort Davis in 1882.Colonel Grierson made several improvements to his quarters during his stay at Fort Concho with the addition of locks to the doors, the addition of a stone carriage house, the construction of a kitchen at the extreme south end of the house, and in 1881 the construction of an office on the west side.
Not all was joyous in the Grierson household however, as their daughter Edith died of typhoid on September 9, 1878, in an upstairs bedroom.
After the Army abandoned the fort, Officers’ Quarters 1, along with all the other improvements to the land reverted to civilian hands. About 1905, remodeling began as the original porch was replaced by one having a balcony, and a door was cut into the front wall. Two dormer windows were added at either end of the upstairs front wall. Later the added door was made into a third dormer window. About 1926, two large windows were cut in the east downstairs wall of the house to allow more light.
In 1964, Fort Concho Museum bought the house and leased it to the Tom Green County Historical Society. In 1982, the porch and dormer windows were removed and the front was restored to its original character.
In 1989, The Fort Concho Board of Directors set aside Officers' Quarters 1 as the future home of the Concho Valley Pioneer Heritage Center. Its purpose is two-fold: to preserve and restore Officers' Quarters 1 and to preserve the history of the civilian pioneers of the area.
Through private donations the money was raised and in 1993 work began. Since September 17, 1994, Officers’ Quarters 1 has served as the Concho Valley Pioneer Heritage Center.
Grierson's Letters
"The rooms in the house are as follows - The parlor dining - immediately back of the Parlor & the kitchen back of the dining room. Then there is the front hall - & on the other side of the hall the room I now use as a living room & which we could use as a bed room - Then there is a small room back of this room which would answer for the children all of them in case of necessity, but probably, say for George and Harrie - presume Edith comes she & Olive will sleep together. Then there are two bedrooms up stairs. The one over this room is the best and company the most pleasant on account of the better ventilation, as it has a dormer window. The hall up stairs is the same size as the hall below & is provided with a dormer window & a cot could be placed there & used for someone in case of necessity. Then there is the room over the Parlor - it has two window opening to the West it would be a comfortable bedroom in the winter - but is rather warm in summer - Now you know all the rooms. ... I mention all these particulars that you may know just what room we will have in the house & can think over as to how all can be accommodated ..." |
Benjamin H. Grierson to Alice Grierson, July 15, 1875 |
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"By placing the enclosed plan before you - you will see where my quarters - are by the little red flag - apparently floating in the breeze - Entre vous - and I will make you still better acquainted with the inside - Stop a moment on the porch in front which extend the length of the building & is much like the porches of the officers qrs at Fort Sill - Pass through the front door & you find yourself in a hall about 12 x 18 - the door opposite the front opens out onto the back porch, which extends along the (L) which constitutes the dining room & kitchen - on either side as you enter the front Hall is a room about 15 x 18, with two front windows & fireplace on opposite side of room from the entrance door - doors occupying the center of the back part of each room - one of which opens into the dining room spoken of & the other into a small room in rear of the left parlor or sitting room. The dining room is about 15 x 18 - and the other 10 x 15. The kitchen back of dining room is about 10 - 12 x 15 - There are two windows & one door - in the dining room besides the door first spoken of between the first room - and the dining room. Two windows on the right as you enter - door and windows opening on to the porch - The dining room is quite airy and pleasant & provided with two cupboards - in one of which there is a square hole or opening thro' which food etc can be passed thro' from the Kitchen - rough open shelves grace the corners of the kitchen and there is a fireplace between the two cupboards in the dining room with wooden mantles like those in the front rooms. - The windows of all the quarters are provided with blinds - similar to those on our house . . . I forgot to mention that there is a staircase in the hall coming up from the back porch and to open & which communicates on either side with an attic room - much like those in quarters at all military posts. . . . The yard enclosed is larger & provided with a good stone wall - Outbuilding is of stone & there is a good chicken yard & a high wall at the back of yard where a carriage house can be constructed We can also have plenty of room for a Cow shed - Wood etc etc." |
Benjamin H. Grierson to Alice Grierson, May 10, 1875 |