While driving cattle through the Paisano Pass, Texas in 1883, a young cowhand witnessed strange flickering lights. He believed that it was Apache Indians and told other settlers who confirmed that they had also seen them. Years later they were seen again when a number of cowboys, witnessed dancing lights in the summer of 1919. They were so intrigued that they even rode over the mountains to locate the source.

The Marfa Lights, named after the nearest town, Marfa, Texas, have been appearing ever since there were people around to witness them, and they still remain a mystery. During World War II pilots training at a nearby airfield tried to find the source of the lights from the air, but with no success. In recent years the lights have become a tourist attraction and the Texas police have constructed a viewpoint for motorists.

There have been many explanations put forward as to the cause of the lights. These range from electrostatic discharge, swamp gas and even ghostly Spanish soldiers looking for gold. The most accepted explanation is that the lights are a mirage caused by rising hot air and cold air settling. This would magnify far away lights and give the impression that they were moving.