Clark Hotel
112 Broadway St., Van Horn, TXBuilt in stages between 1901 and 1929, the Clark Hotel stands today as the oldest existing structure in Culberson County. The simple, unadorned building constructed of locally made concrete blocks, was the first substantial commercial building erected in Van Horn. Originally built to provide office space, the edifice has housed a wide variety of activities including retail, governmental, bar room, and boarding. Housing this kaleidoscope of activities that ranged from governmental agencies to entertainment and vices, the structure for many years functioned as the nucleus of Van Horn.
An earlier retail establishment occupied the site from 1889 into the 1890s. When the township became organized, this structure was razed to make way for a new one. In 1901 the Cox brothers of Van Horn built a small office building. Anderson Lowden purchased the property in 1903 where he established Lowden Mercantile Company, and in 1904 added a lumber company. The Cox brothers again acquired the property in 1905 and began constructing the main portion of the current structure, utilizing local materials. Completed in 1906, the building housed professional and commercial offices, an opera house, a community center, a dance hall, and Woodmen of the World Lodge on the second floor and a pool hall," saloon, newspaper printing office, drug store, and jewelry store downstairs. The saloon was furnished with an ornately-carved mahogany bar imported from France in 1876. At this time the structure was oriented to the north on Front Street, Van Horn's main business street. Hitching posts lined the street for horses and rigs.
When Culberson County was organized in April 1911, and Van Horn voted county seat, the commissioners' court and other county officers occupied part of the structure as a courthouse, as it was the only structure large enough for that purpose. The county officers occupied the newspaper office until 1914 when a courthouse was constructed. The first district court was held in the second-floor opera house. On occasion, the noise from the saloon below would rise to such a level that it would disrupt the court sessions. In addition, the structure served as a center for local entertainment and social gatherings. Traveling theatrical groups and "chautauqua" performed in the opera house. Van Horn's post office, which presently occupies a portion of the structure, was first housed in a tiny room in a corner of the drugstore.
In 1918, Fred Clark, Sr. purchased the structure and converted it into a hotel. In 1925, U.S. Highway 80 was constructed through Van Horn, parallel to and south of Front Street. In 1929 an addition was constructed to house a cafe. Many structures located on the south side of Front Street were altered to face the major thoroughfare, including the hotel. The hotel functioned as such until the late 1960s. Each year an old-timers reunion is sponsored in the lobby by the Culberson County Historical Commission. The Van Horn Historical Society plans to continue the established diversity of usage as well as community service by converting the space into a museum.
Local significance of the building:
An earlier retail establishment occupied the site from 1889 into the 1890s. When the township became organized, this structure was razed to make way for a new one. In 1901 the Cox brothers of Van Horn built a small office building. Anderson Lowden purchased the property in 1903 where he established Lowden Mercantile Company, and in 1904 added a lumber company. The Cox brothers again acquired the property in 1905 and began constructing the main portion of the current structure, utilizing local materials. Completed in 1906, the building housed professional and commercial offices, an opera house, a community center, a dance hall, and Woodmen of the World Lodge on the second floor and a pool hall," saloon, newspaper printing office, drug store, and jewelry store downstairs. The saloon was furnished with an ornately-carved mahogany bar imported from France in 1876. At this time the structure was oriented to the north on Front Street, Van Horn's main business street. Hitching posts lined the street for horses and rigs.
When Culberson County was organized in April 1911, and Van Horn voted county seat, the commissioners' court and other county officers occupied part of the structure as a courthouse, as it was the only structure large enough for that purpose. The county officers occupied the newspaper office until 1914 when a courthouse was constructed. The first district court was held in the second-floor opera house. On occasion, the noise from the saloon below would rise to such a level that it would disrupt the court sessions. In addition, the structure served as a center for local entertainment and social gatherings. Traveling theatrical groups and "chautauqua" performed in the opera house. Van Horn's post office, which presently occupies a portion of the structure, was first housed in a tiny room in a corner of the drugstore.
In 1918, Fred Clark, Sr. purchased the structure and converted it into a hotel. In 1925, U.S. Highway 80 was constructed through Van Horn, parallel to and south of Front Street. In 1929 an addition was constructed to house a cafe. Many structures located on the south side of Front Street were altered to face the major thoroughfare, including the hotel. The hotel functioned as such until the late 1960s. Each year an old-timers reunion is sponsored in the lobby by the Culberson County Historical Commission. The Van Horn Historical Society plans to continue the established diversity of usage as well as community service by converting the space into a museum.
Commerce; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
About Culberson County
Culberson County Timeline
Culberson County, Texas, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American groups, such as the Apache and Comanche tribes, who roamed the vast expanses of land. These tribes hunted the abundant wildlife and adapted to the harsh desert environment.
The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios in the area, seeking to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and establish control over the land. However, conflicts between the Spanish settlers and the indigenous peoples were common, and the region remained relatively unpopulated.
In the mid-19th century, the region that is now Culberson County became part of the United States after the Texas Revolution. The county itself was established in 1911, named after David B. Culberson, a prominent Texan lawyer and politician. At this time, the area was primarily used for ranching, with cattle grazing on the grasslands.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to a boom in Culberson County's economy. The establishment of oil fields and drilling operations brought an influx of workers and boosted the local population. However, the oil industry faced ups and downs, with periods of prosperity followed by decline.
Today, Culberson County continues to be primarily rural, with a small population. The county's economy is based on agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The vast and rugged landscape of Culberson County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who come to explore the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and experience its stunning desert beauty.
The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios in the area, seeking to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and establish control over the land. However, conflicts between the Spanish settlers and the indigenous peoples were common, and the region remained relatively unpopulated.
In the mid-19th century, the region that is now Culberson County became part of the United States after the Texas Revolution. The county itself was established in 1911, named after David B. Culberson, a prominent Texan lawyer and politician. At this time, the area was primarily used for ranching, with cattle grazing on the grasslands.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to a boom in Culberson County's economy. The establishment of oil fields and drilling operations brought an influx of workers and boosted the local population. However, the oil industry faced ups and downs, with periods of prosperity followed by decline.
Today, Culberson County continues to be primarily rural, with a small population. The county's economy is based on agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The vast and rugged landscape of Culberson County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who come to explore the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and experience its stunning desert beauty.
Culberson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Culberson County, Texas.
- 1911 - Culberson County is established.
- 1927 - The town of Van Horn is incorporated.
- 1942 - Construction of the Van Horn Army Airfield begins.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin visit Van Horn during a nationwide tour.
- 2006 - Jeff Bezos purchases land in Culberson County for his private aerospace company, Blue Origin.