Near Van Horn in Culberson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Van Horn Wells

(One-Half Mile West)

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

1. Van Horn Wells Marker

Inscription. 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 Mail" (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.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7926.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the San Antonio-El Paso Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 30° 53.228′ N, 104° 47.457′ W. Marker is near Van Horn, Texas, in Culberson County. It is on U.S. 90 10½ miles south of Interstate 10, on the right

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when traveling south. 12 miles south of Van Horn on US Hwy 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Van Horn TX 79855, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Van Horn Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.8 miles away); Clark Hotel (approx. 10.8 miles away); Original Culberson County Jail (approx. 11 miles away); Colonel David Culberson (approx. 11 miles away); Presbyterian Church (approx. 11.1 miles away); Culberson County Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.1 miles away); Van Horn Cemetery (approx. 11.4 miles away); Culberson County (approx. 12.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Horn.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 22, 2012

2. Van Horn Wells Marker

Photographed by Wesley Harris, April 29, 2024

3. Van Horn Wells Marker

Photographed by Richard Denney

4. Van Horn Wells Marker

Panorama with marker foreground, hills in background where Van Horn Wells is located.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,673 times since then and 146 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on November 2, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on May 10, 2024, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. 4. submitted on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.