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"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. |
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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 Hotels >
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Van Horn Attractions
and Nearby Destinations Culberson
County Historical Museum
The
Clark Hotel, which now houses the Culberson County Historical Museum
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. The
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
55 miles north on Hwy 54. The park contains
Guadalupe Peak, the highest elevation in Texas (8749 ft.)
Van
Horn Hotels - Book here and save
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.
Van
Horn Hotels - Book here and save
Lobo
- A ghost town 12 miles south on US 90. The Van
Horn Convention and Visitor's Bureau - 915-283-2682.
Van
Horn Hotels > Book
Your Hotel Here & Save |
Scenes
of Van Horn"I
was wandering thru Van Horn on my way to New Mexico in 2006 and saw this neat
house and fence." - Sarah
Reveley |
"Diesel Fried Chicken" - Restaurant sign in Van Horn
Photo courtesy
Rob Hann, 2003 |
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
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