Cornudas, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cornudas, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Cornudas, Texas
Location in Texas
Cornudas, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hudspeth |
| Elevation | 4,308 ft (1,313 m) |
| Population
(2000)
|
|
| • Total | 19 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 915 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379595 |
Cornudas is a small, unincorporated community in Hudspeth County, Texas, United States. It is located near where Ranch to Market Road 2317 meets U.S. Highway 62 and U.S. Highway 180. Cornudas is about 42 miles (68 km) northwest of Sierra Blanca, the county seat.
This community was set up in 1929. It was placed on the most direct route between El Paso (64 miles or 103 km west) and Carlsbad, New Mexico (104 miles or 167 km northeast). This made it a good place for travelers to stop and get supplies. The town was named after the nearby Cornudas Mountains. You can see these mountains behind the Cornudas Cafe.
Contents
History of Cornudas
How Cornudas Started
In the 1920s, people in El Paso debated where to build a new road. This road would connect El Paso to Carlsbad and the eastern United States. They chose a route that went straight east across the desert. This new road connected to the existing Highway 54.
Cornudas was founded by Willie Tinnin as this highway was being finished. She started a small food and fuel stop in a tent. She cooked pancakes for travelers. Soon, her stop grew to include a cafe, a gas station, and a small store.
Early Years and Growth
A post office opened in Cornudas in 1938. However, it closed within a year. Willie Tinnin was the only postmistress. At that time, Cornudas mainly served nearby cattle ranches. It also helped a pumping station for El Paso Natural Gas. The area had a primary school and a church. In 2000, the population of Cornudas was 19 people.
Who Owned Cornudas?
Cornudas has always been owned by a single family or person.
- The Tinnin Family owned it from 1929 to 1977.
- The Derrick Family owned it from 1977 to 1982.
- "Mayor" May Carson owned it from 1982 to 2018.
- Her grandson, Jeff Campbell, now owns it. He is called the "City Manager."
Cornudas Today
As of 2003, Cornudas covered 28.8 acres. May Carson bought an extra 100 acres behind it. The community had four homes and five businesses. It also had a station for the National Weather Service.
The businesses included:
- A cafe
- A gift shop
- A gas station
- A hotel with six themed cabin rooms
- An RV Park
- A campground
The town had its own water well, electricity, and phone lines. It also had large propane tanks and Wifi. There were 17 street lights and over 400 shade trees.
In 2005, an investor wanted to build a "resort." He moved old buildings from El Paso to Cornudas. He arranged them to look like a historic western town. Campbell has named this part "Historic Cornudas, Tx." May Carson got the town back and reopened her Cafe in May 2009. After she passed away in 2018, Campbell inherited the town. He closed it for major repairs. Cornudas reopened in October 2020.
See also
- In Spanish: Cornudas para niños
