Historical Marker
Van Horn Wells
Lobo, Culberson County · Texas
Erected 1970
Lt. James Judson Van Horn, no relation to Maj. Jefferson Van Horne, held an army garrison at the wells for only two years. In 1861 Confederate forces seized the wells and took him prisoner, yet twenty years later the railroad town founded a few miles north carried his name. Thomas Owen had found the Hazel Mine northwest of the future town in 1856, but the Civil War and Mescalero raids from the Guadalupe and Sierra Diablo mountains kept him away until later; he came back and became a justice of the peace.
What the plaque says
Van Horn Wells Only dependable water supply in miles of arid terrain. Used by Indians for centuries. Named for either Maj. Jefferson Van Horne (who passed here en route to establish fort at El Paso, in 1849), or for Lt. J.J. Van Horn (stationed here to fight Indians, 1859). Wagon trains from south Texas welcomed the "seep-water" from wells, as did soldiers on San Antonio -- El Paso military road. Riders for "Jackass Mile" (San Antonio -- San Diego) stopped here, and the Butterfield Mail Line built a stage stand at wells, 1859. Town of Van Horn grew up (12 miles north) in 1880s. (1970)
Where it stands
30.88712, -104.79092 · Directions
Worth the stop nearby
- Hotel El Capitan — 11 miHenry Trost's Spanish Revival hotel of 1930 in Van Horn, named for the cliff at the end of the Guadalupe Mountains, restored and back in business as an inn.