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Van Horn is a small desert town in West Texas. It’s a good place to stop if you’re traveling along I-10.
Introduction to Van Horn
Van Horn was settled starting in the late 1850s thanks to the San Antonio-El Paso Overland Mail route. It’s named for Lieutenant James Judson Van Horn, who commanded a garrison at Van Horn Wells from 1859 to 1861, when he was taken prisoner by Confederate forces.
The town experienced a period of growth with the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881. One interesting note is that it’s the westernmost incorporated community in Texas in the Central Time Zone.
Hotel El Capitan
The historic Hotel El Capitan is one of the most prominent landmarks in town. It was built in 1930 by Gateway Hotels and Charles Bassett. It’s one of five hotels built by Gateway in West Texas and New Mexico, and was designed by American architect Henry Trost (1860-1933).
The building functioned as a hotel until the late 1960s. In 1973, it was converted into a bank. Finally, in 2007, the building was purchased by Lanna and Joe Duncan with the purpose of converting it back into a hotel.
Hotel El Capitan has 49 rooms and features a central courtyard. The building is topped with an exact replica of the original neon sign that attracted travelers. If I ever have to pass through the area again, I’d love to spend the night.
Clark Hotel Museum
The Clark Hotel Museum is housed in the first permanent structure in Van Horn, with the earliest portion completed in 1901. The rest of the building was added between 1905 and 1906. Today, it contains several different historical artifacts related to Van Horn and the surrounding area. It’s open Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 5pm and admission is free (as of July 2025).
The Clark Hotel Museum housed the first Culbertson County Courthouse from 1911 to 1912. Until 1918, it hosted theatrical programs and school graduations. It also contained shops, offices, and a saloon. The bar from the saloon is one of the main exhibits inside the museum.
The building was converted into a hotel by Fred Clark in 1918. It served as such for nearly 40 years and was known for its elegant accommodation.
Some of the more interesting items on display include an antique kitchen, artifacts from the Hazel Silver Mine, and early farming and ranching tools. There’s also a model of some of the buildings in town.
Where to Stay in Van Horn
We stopped for the night after visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park to the north.
Motel 6
We stayed at a Motel 6 on the west side of town. It was a lot better than most of the Motel 6s I’ve stayed at, especially in cleanliness. Obviously with a bigger budget we would have chosen Hotel El Capitan!
Where to Eat in Van Horn
We had one meal during our visit to town.
Hotel El Capitan Restaurant
The restaurant at the Hotel El Capitan is open daily from 5pm to 10pm. We had a delicious dinner there, enjoying a hearty ribeye steak.
