Lobo, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lobo, Texas
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Hotel in Lobo, circa 1910s
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 Lobo, Texas
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Culberson |
| Elevation | 4,010 ft (1,222 m) |
| Population
(2009)
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| • Total | 15 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77591
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| Area code(s) | 432 |
| Website | http://www.lobo-texas.com |
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Lobo is a ghost town in Culberson County, Texas, United States. A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. Lobo was abandoned in 1991.
Contents
Where is Lobo, Texas?
Lobo is located in a part of West Texas called the Trans-Pecos region. This area is known for its mountains and deserts. Lobo sits between the Van Horn Mountains and Wylie Mountains. It is found along U.S. Highway 90. The town is about 12 miles south of Van Horn. It is also about 24 miles west of Valentine.
The Story of Lobo: From Water Stop to Ghost Town
Early Days and Water Sources
The history of Lobo goes back to the mid-1800s. At that time, a natural underground water source was found here. It was called Van Horn Wells. These wells were very important because they were the only known water sources for 100 miles around.
Because of this water, Lobo became a key stop for travelers. It was on the San Antonio-El Paso Road. Many people heading to the West used this road. Later, mail delivery services like the San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line and Butterfield Overland Mail also stopped here. This continued from 1857 until railroads arrived.
Railroad and Town Growth
In 1882, the Southern Pacific Railroad made Lobo a watering stop and a depot. This meant trains could get water and supplies here. In 1907, a post office was opened. The town was named Lobo after the Mexican wolves that used to live in the area. Two years later, in 1909, the town was officially planned out.
When Culberson County was created in 1911, Lobo tried to become the county seat. This means it wanted to be the main government center. However, nearby Van Horn won that competition. By 1915, Lobo had about 20 people living there. It also had a general store and a few other businesses.
Challenges and Decline
Lobo faced some tough times. In 1929, an earthquake destroyed the town's hotel. Another strong earthquake hit in 1931. By the mid-1930s, the population had dropped to just 10 people. The post office closed in 1942.
However, things looked up for a bit. The Texas Mica Company opened, and two railroad houses were built. This caused a small increase in the number of people living there. In the late 1940s, large-scale irrigation began. This helped cotton become an important crop for the local economy. A company called Anderson, Clayton and Company even built a cotton gin in Lobo. A cotton gin is a machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds.
But the good times did not last. In 1962, the railroad stop closed down. By the mid-1960s, the population reached about 90 people. Around this time, the water levels underground dropped a lot. The wells could no longer provide enough water for everyone. The cost of keeping the irrigation pumps working became too high. Because of this, the cotton gin also closed.
Attempts to Save Lobo
In 1969, a man named Bill Christ bought the entire community of Lobo. He opened a new gas station and a general store. Business was good at first. However, the store was destroyed by fire in 1976.
In 1988, Christ decided to sell Lobo for $60,000. But no one bought it. By 1991, Bill Christ gave up on trying to save Lobo. The town became a modern ghost town. It had very little water, with only about 13.2 inches of rain each year.
New Owners and Future Plans
On November 5, 2001, three people from Frankfurt, Germany, bought Lobo. They had plans to fix up the old buildings. They also wanted to hold local arts and music festivals there. The Desert Dust Cinema festival was held in Lobo several times, in 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2018. However, no future dates for the festival are planned.
Today, there is a pecan orchard nearby with over 61,000 trees. There is also a campground called South Lobo campground. Both are within a mile of the old townsite. In 2023, the German owners were offering to sell the town of Lobo for $100,000.
Images for kids
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Hotel in Lobo, circa 1910s
