Lobo's history begins with the discovery of the Van Horn Wells in the middle of the 19th century. These wells were the only known source of water in a 100-mile radius.

From 1850 to 1860 Lobo was a stop on the mail route from San Antonio to San Diego. In 1882 Lobo became a watering stop and depot for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

In 1907 J. Curtis Jones opened and ran a post office. At the turn of the century, the first settlers gave the town the name Lobo (Spanish for wolf) because wolf packs terrorized the area. In 1909 the Lobo Hotel was built and a few merchants settled in Lobo.

In 1911 Lobo failed in its attempt to become the county seat of the newly established Culberson County. The county seat was established 12 miles to the north in Van Horn. In 1914 Lobo had 20 residents, among them 2 medical doctors. A general store and a gas station were also built.

In 1929 and 1931 Lobo was struck by two powerful earthquakes that destroyed the hotel. In the 1930s the population sank to 10. In 1942 the post office closed, but the Texas Mica Company and other smaller companies opened offices in Lobo.

In 1962 more than 90 residents lived in Lobo. Due to a dramatic drop in the water table in the early 1960s, the wells were unable to supply enough water for the businesses and residents. The train station was moved to Van Horn causing further job loss and economic hardship. Some of the residents tried to make a living growing cotton but failed. Almost everyone left Lobo. In 1969 Bill Christ bought the whole town and opened a new gas station and general store. Business was good, but the sale of alcoholic beverages brought drugs and crime to Lobo. In 1976 the general store burnt down.

In 1988 Bill Christ tried for a second time to revive Lobo. He opened a motel and started a campground. Personal problems forced Christ to give up in 1991. Lobo became a ghost town. On November 5th, 2001 three residents of Frankfurt, Germany bought the entire town. With the help and participation of others, they plan to fix up the dilapidated buildings and hold an annual arts and music festival.

See also:
Martin Donell Kohout, Handbook of Texas online