What Happened To Lobo, Texas? A Ghost Town's Story

El Paso is steeped in history and has several ghost towns nearby. Easy road - trips that I love taking but somehow, Lobo, Texas got past me. It's not only cool, it's close.

Lobo, Texas is located about 16 miles north of Van Horn which is about 2 hours east of El Paso. A very easy drive from El Paso, along I-10 which is really easy to navigate. It's long, straight and the weather around here is mild, very rarely interfering with driving or outdoor activities. Though, in summer, it gets pretty warm around here so, I'd plan a morning or evening exploration of Lobo. .

The area in and around Lobo, Texas is .. or was, anyway ... rich in minerals so mining played a big role in its history.

What Happened To Lobo, Texas?

It's a short and sad story ... here's a quick recap:

Natural wells provided water to the dry as hell area so a railroad stop was built near them in the mid 1800's. At the site of the railroad stop, another well was drilled and a few buildings and cattle pens went up.

The town of Lobo was planned out and sold to investors who got there and found that NOTHING promised ... artesian wells, a hotel, etc ... actually existed. A lawsuit forced the sellers to build all they had promised and Lobo was truly born.

In 1911, Culberson County was established and Lobo tried like crazy to become the county seat but lost to Van Horn. Which still exists and thanks to Blue Origin may now finally be off that fine line between town and "ghost" town. See some pics here.

By 1929, Lobo had a whopping 20 residents, 2 doctors, a few cattle breeders and, by then, automobile facilities too as well as a general store. Not for long though ...

Lobo's Last Days

In 1929 an earthquake destroyed the hotel.
By the mid-1930s the estimated population of Lobo was only ten
It was back up to mid - 20's by the mid 40's thanks to the Texas Mica Company setting up its headquarters there and 2 new railroad houses.
In the early '50's, cotton became a thing and a cotton gin was set up but in '62, the railroad bailed.
The population still managed to grow to almost 100, theeeeeen, the town ran out of water.

In the mid '70s, some guy put up a roadside stand in Lobo but it didn't last and in 1988 the whole town, buildings and all, was put up for sale. $60K, as is, but, (as far as I can tell), it's still for sale.