Formed January 1, 1911 (247th county)
Culberson County (2,188), Van Horn (1,933)
The almost flat roof to the Modern courthouse is unique in Texas. Built in 1964, this is second courthouse for the county (the other built in 1912,) both in Van Horn. Along Texas State Highway 54 the building is north of United States Highway 90. The tan brick building’s designer was Pierce, Norris, Pace and Associates. The building was remodeled in 2001. The county was named for David Browning Culberson, Texas legislator and Confederate officer. Van Horn got its name from Colonel James Judson Van Horn, a local infantryman who served in the region. Founded on January 1, 1911, the county is in far west Texas with New Mexico being the entire northern border. The county was created from El Paso County as the 247th county.
Culberson County government consists of a sheriff, a County Judge, and 4 Commissioners. One District Court Judge serves Culberson, El Paso, and Hudspeth counties, One District Court Judge serves Culberson, Brewster, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties, and One County Court Judge serves Culberson County. The county center is 37 miles Northeast of Van Horn. The county is surrounded clockwise by New Mexico and Reeves, Jeff Davis, and Hudspeth counties. The highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, is in this county.
The area of the county is 3813 square miles. It is 5 out of 254 in the state. It ranks 231 out of 254 in population in the state. It has a density of 0.6 persons per square mile making it 249 out of 254 in the state. Culberson County has 88.4% of its population in its incorporated areas. Interstate Highway 10 enters from Jeff Davis County and exits into Hudspeth County, east to west. United States Highways 62/180 come from New Mexico on the north but go west into Hudspeth County. United States Highway 90 enters from Jeff Davis County to the south and terminates in the county. The county is shaped like a funnel with Van Horn located in the far southwest part. Van Horn is the county seat and the largest city since it is the only incorporated city. It is 88.4% of the county population. The county is pronounced CUL-BURR-SON.
Van Horn
