Van Horn, County seat in Culberson County, Texas.
Van Horn serves as the administrative center of Culberson County in southwestern Texas, where two major highways meet. This town sits on a high plateau with open views toward the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes.
This settlement grew in the 1850s around a water source named after an army officer who commanded a garrison there in the late 1850s. It later expanded as a supply point along the transcontinental railroad line.
Local cattle ranchers regularly bring livestock to auctions, keeping the area's long ranching tradition visible in everyday life. Many older buildings in the center carry the typical features of western architecture, with low facades and wide porches.
The town center runs along the main road, where gas stations and shops offer most services for travelers passing through. Summer months can get very hot, so spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit.
A private space company operates a launch site north of town on a vast property for suborbital flights. This area ranks among the largest private spaceflight facilities in the world and occasionally attracts technology enthusiasts.
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