[4] It was founded as they finished the highway by Willie Tinnin, as a fuel and food stop, starting in a tent where she cooked pancakes.

She previously owned land across the highway, but used squatter's rights to move to the present location and claim 28.8 acres.

At the time, Cornudas primarily served nearby cattle ranches and an El Paso Natural Gas pumping station.

It included a cafe, gift shop, gas station, hotel with six themed cabin rooms, RV Park, and campground.

The town had a water well, electricity, phone lines, large propane tanks, Wifi, 17 street lights, and more than 400 shade trees.