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VAN HORN, TEXAS

Culberson County Seat, West Texas

31°2'33"N 104°49'59"W (31.042489, -104.832928)

I-10 & US 90
36 miles W of Kent
120 miles W of Ft. Stockton
118 miles SE of El Paso
73 miles NW of Marfa on US 90
161 miles SW of Odessa via I-20
65 miles S of Pine Springs and
the Guadalupe Mountains via Hwy 54
ZIP code 79855
Area code 432
Population: 1,870 Est. (2019)
2,063 (2010) 2,435 (2000) 2,930 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Van Horn Hotels


Van Horn Texas
Van Horn
Photo courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

"The Town so Healthy We Had to Shoot a Man to Start a Cemetery"

Van Horn was named after a Union Officer, while Culberson County was named after a Confederate.

The above slogan had been suggested by a local rancher named Bill Goynes. He was killed by his brother-in-law a short time later and in fact became the first occupant of the cemetery. We are told it was a dispute over water and had nothing to do with the need to start a cemetery, although it might've given the community-minded brother-in-law an extra incentive.


[Shoot a man to start a cemetery Cartoon by Roger T. Moore]



History in a Pecan Shell

Our brief history of Van Horn begins with the discovery of Van Horn Wells, south of town near the present ghost town of Lobo. The credit of discovery goes to Jefferson Van Horne (with an "e"), an Army Major who later commanded Ft. Bliss. The town of Van Horn Wells was a stage stop on the San Diego - San Antonio Mail Route.

During the Civil War, the wells were captured by Confederates. The Union Officer in charge was James Judson Van Horn, who was no relation at all to Major Jefferson Van Horne, other than being brothers-in-arms. Some sources have him ranked a Lieutenant, some as a Colonel.

In 1881 when the railroad (the Texas and Pacific) came through, the town of Van Horn grew around the tracks and Van Horn Wells was left where it was, providing water and later irrigating cotton fields and vegetable crops. The railroad put in wells of their own and 1886 saw the post office established as well as the town's first store. By 1890 the population was almost 500.

The new century was ushered in by the murder of the postmaster in 1900. The murderer had the dangerous-sounding name of "Red" Sealy. The murderee was R.L. Hall, former rancher and storekeeper, turned postmaster.

The very first Culberson County Sheriff was shot in 1914, in a gunfight.

The 1912 Courthouse was replaced in 1964 by a one story "modern" one.

The town got around to incorporating after the excitement of WWII was over in 1945.

Tourism became an important industry in the 1930s with the opening of nearby Carlsbad Caverns. Over 11,000 people pass through Van Horn daily.

Van Horn Tx - Hazel Silver mines
Hazel Silver Mines, near Van Horn
Photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection


Van Horn, Texas
Landmarks & Attractions


1964 Culberson County Courthouse, Van Horn, Texas
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, December 2005
Culberson County Courthouses

Van Horn Tx Former Culberson County Jail
Former Culberson County Jail in Van Horn
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, March 2003
More Texas Jails

Historical Marker:

Original Culberson County Jail

In order to provide local law enforcement in the wake of Mexican bandit attacks, Culberson County was organized in 1911. The following year the county commissioners accepted plans for construction of this red brick jail. Although prisoners at times dug through the brick walls, the structure was used until a new courthouse which included a jail was completed in 1964.
1979

Van Horn Texas Clark Hotel
Clark Hotel Museum
112 W. Broadway
432-283-8028
The Clark Hotel served as the county courthouse from 1911-1912

Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

  • Clark Hotel Museum
    The Clark Hotel started out as The Cox Building. In 1901 it was an office building that had a pool hall/saloon added on in 1905 and even served as a courthouse before an official one could be built.

  • Guadalupe Peak from US180
    Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009
    Guadalupe Mountain National Park

    65 miles north on Hwy 54 to
    Pine Springs and the Guadalupe Mountains

  • The Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    65 miles north on Hwy 54. The park contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest elevation in Texas (8749 ft.)

  • Carlsbad Caverns
    Another 30 miles or so will bring you to the famous caverns, but be warned, you'll be leaving Texas for most of the trip.

  • Lobo - A ghost town 12 miles south on US 90.

  • Van Horn Hotels › Book Hotel Here

  • The Van Horn Convention and Visitor's Bureau - 915-283-2682.


  • Van Horn Texas
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn Texas church
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008
    More Texas Churches

    El Capitan Hotel, Van Horn, Texas
    Photo Courtesy Jason Penney
    El Capitan Hotel

    Van Horn Texas Truckers Inn
    Truckers Inn
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn Texas
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn Texas Clark Hotel neon
    Clark Hotel neon sign
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn TX - Sands Motel Restaurant neon sign
    Sands Motel Restaurant neon sign
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, Autgust 2017
    More Rooms with a Past

    Van Horn Texas old neon
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn TX - Liquor Beer Neon Sign
    Liquor & Beer Neon Sign
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, July 2017
    More Texas Old Neon

    Van Horn Texas Magnolia Station
    Magnolia Gas Station in Van Horn
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008
    More Texas Gas Stations

    Van Horn TX - Magnolia Gas Station
    Jimmy Dobson Photo, July 2017

    Adventures with my 1972 Plymouth Cuda and
    my 67 Ford Mustang Fastback

    by Jimmy Dobson

    Van Horn Texas exposed brick wall
    Exposed brick wall
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008

    Van Horn Texas fence and wall
    Fence and wall
    Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, August 2008


    Van Horn, Texas ruins and iron fence
    Photos courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

    "I was wandering thru Van Horn on my way to New Mexico in 2006 and saw this neat house and fence." - Sarah Reveley

    Old iron gate, Van Horn, Texas
    Photos courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

    Van Horn, Texas - Old wheel gate and fence,
    Mansion Ruins
    Photos courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006

    Old wheel gate and fence, Van Horn, Texas
    Old wheel gate and fence
    Photos courtesy Sarah Reveley, 2006


    Diesel Fried Chicken, restautant sign in Van Horn, Texas
    "Diesel Fried Chicken" - Restaurant sign in Van Horn
    Photo courtesy Rob Hann, 2003



    Guadalupe Peak from US180
    Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2009

    Guadalupe Mountain National Park

    65 miles north on Hwy 54 to
    Pine Springs and the Guadalupe Mountains

    Book Hotel Here › Van Horn Hotels




    Van Horn Chronicles
    History Cartoon by Roger T. Moore:

    Shoot a man to start a cemetery
    Van Horn Slogan



    Van Horn, Texas Forum
  • Subject: Texas School House

    I know of another one room Texas school house in existence. It is in Culberson county, north of Van Horn. I know it exists, because it was my childhood school house and my teachers have now converted it into their home. It sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mtns. It was in use until about 1988. - Erick Nance, December 08, 2010


  • Subject: Woman on a burro

    I have enjoyed Jason Penney's photos of far West Texas. My husband and I just returned from our first trip out there. It was really quick. For some reason, he got it in his head he wanted to go to Dell City. But we had a few memorable moments, beginning in Van Horn. I have a question for for someone who knows whom I would be asking about. Perhaps you could direct me to more information about her. We were privileged to get to see this woman riding through town (Van Horn) perched atop a burdened, exhausted, heavily-laden, black and white spotted burro late in the day last Wednesday. To see that worn little burro with his little head nearly dragging the ground was heart-wrenching. His rider wearing many clothes, topped off with a dark brown fringed leather jacket, sat like a queen upon a throne of layers and layers of blankets and maybe other clothing. Her hat was pulled way down on her head so that we could really only see her sun glasses. They walked at a snail’s pace but rushed a little to get underneath a tiny mesquite tree where they rested in the sparse shade for a few minutes before resuming their trip. It appears that she carried all her worldly goods on that little burro. The temperature was at least 100 degrees. One of the locals said she comes around now and then. She travels all over, from way down in Big Bend to El Paso and all points in between. I didn’t get a photo. I just didn’t feel right about it. Besides, we didn’t know how to approach her. But the way that poor little burro was bent over, it would have been a perfect picture. Does someone know whom I am talking about? I would appreciate URLs or directions to finding out more about her. She must be a fascinating person! Thanks. - Linda Lowe, Bedford, Texas, May 21, 2006, charleslinda.lowe@comcast.net



  • Take a road trip

    West Texas

    Van Horn , Texas Area Towns:
    Marfa | El Paso | Ft. Stockton
    See Culberson County

    Book Hotel Here:
    Van Horn Hotels | El Paso Hotels | More Hotels

    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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