For an unforgettable experience in Texas, you need to visit El Paso, an amazing melting pot of different cultures-American and Mexican. Restaurants here serve authentic Mexican food and you can enjoy this cultural and tourist hotspot given its amazing monuments, historical sites like the El Paso Museum of Art, ranches, vineyards, valleys, farmer’s markets, sophisticated shopping malls and more. From mountain biking to golf, you can enjoy an entire range of activities in El Paso.
By garlandcannon from El Paso, Texas, USA (Horizontal Sun Stripe -- for cannalily lady) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
History of El Paso
El Paso is located in Western Texas at the meeting point of New Mexico and Mexican state of Chihuahua in an adverse desert environment, located on slopes of Mount Franklin in Rio Grande. The Spanish called as El Paso del Norte/Pass of the North the location of two border cities - Ciudad Juarez and El Paso itself. In 1848, Rio Grande became a global boundary. El Paso was inhabited by numerous Indian groups before the advent of the Spaniards. By 1682, Ro Grande was bordering 5 settlements including El Paso del Norte. Close to 5,000 people lived in El Paso at the middle of the 18th century.
A military post called as Fort Bliss was set up in 1854. Anton Mills established the two of El Paso while the name of El Paso del Norte changed to Ciudad Juarez in 1888. Many El Paso pioneers were sympathetic to the South during the time of the Civil war and in 1877, the city had its own Salt War of San Elizano. Arrival of railroads in the early 1880s transformed El Paso into a Six Shooter Capital. During the 1900s, El Paso developed as a modern municipal city with industrial, commercial and transportation industries booming here. City population grew in numbers and El Paso became a gateway to Mexico. Chevron and Phelps Dodge have major refineries here. An elementary school was established in El Paso in the early 1880s and high school in 1885. The El Paso Symphony Orchestra which is the among the oldest in Texas, traces its origin to 1893. Originally claimed in 1598 by the Spanish and settled in 1659 by colonists from this part of the world, El Paso became a city in 1872.
Important Locations in El Paso
Camino Real- Elegance Personified
Camino Real was initially build in 1912 and listed on the register of national history. It is an 80 year old glass dome made by Tiffany and the showcase of an elegant Dome shaped Bar. This dome was part of the hotel where guests like Pancho Villa and President Taft were hosted.
Address - 101 South El Paso Street
El Paso, TX 79901
Telephone Number - 915-534-3000
Fax: 915-534-3024
Concordia Cemetery-Largest Southwest Cemetery
This cemetery was founded in 1853.It is a resting place for close to 60,000 historical citizens. It was initially a ranch owned by Hugh Stevenso
Address - 3700 E. Yandell Drive
El Paso, TX 79903
Telephone number - 915-591-2326
El Paso County Historical Society Burges House- A Piece of History
The famous home of Richard Burges, this is also a historical center and headquarters for El Pad County’s Historical Society. He was a member of the 1913 Texas House of Representatives.
Address: 603 W Yandell, Ela Paso, Tx 79902
Phone: (915) 533-3603
El Paso Union Passenger Station-First International Train Station
This is the first Union Passenger Station in the US. Referred to as Union Depot, it has connected the city to the rest of the world for the past 10 decades. This historic passenger station supported the connection between Mexico and El Paso, US.
Address - 700 San Francisco
El Paso, TX 79901
El Paso Mission Trail- Cultural Hotspot
El Paso Mission Trail is located in the lower valley of the city and it is rich in history dating back to 4 centuries. It has 3 churches which are Indian and Spanish relics. The first church is the Ysleta Mission which forms the centrepiece of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo community of Indians. Next church is the Socorro Mission which was established in 1780s. San Elizaro Chapel here is a classic piece of history. El Paso Mission Trail is devoted to exploring different aspects of this historical marvel. Check out the mission trail
online.
Address- Adobe Horeshoe
1500 Main St.
San Elizario, TX 79849
Telephone Number - 915-851-9997
Fray Garcia Monument: Massive Art Sculpture
Fray Garcia Monument refers to a bronze sculpture by J. Houser. This is a 14 foot sculpture and it is located in Pioneer plaza. This sculpture honours the priest who first founded a mission in the area. The colossal monument has been a subject of a PBS documentary as well.
Fray Garcia Monument
Address - Pioneer Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901
Telephone Number - 915-534-0600
Franklin Mountains State Park- Largest Sustained Mountain Range in Texas
The Franklins is a massive mountain range in Texas with the summit of its peaks rising above 7,100 feet around 3,000 feet above the city of El Paso. Watching the sunrise and sunset in this exquisite park is a sight which should not be missed. Click
here to visit online.
Franklin Mountains State Park
Address - Transmountain Road
El Paso, TX 79930
Telephone Number - 915-566-6441
Mount Cristo Rey- Religious Symbol
Located on top of the Sierra de Cristo Rey, in New Mexico, this massive statue of Christ is over 29 feet tall. It is a shrine to thousands of believers in New Mexico and El Paso. Click
here to know more.
Address - McNutt Rd.
Sunland Park, NM 88063
Telephone Number - 915-252-9840
E-mail Address: mtcristorey@yahoo.com
Salt War- Relic of Natural Past
Salt Flats or War are the remains of a shallow old lake that was once flourishing 1.8 million years ago in Guadalupe Mountains. Today, these are part of the extended National Park of the Guadalupe Mountains. Visit this
site online to find out more.
Address - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
400 Pine Canyon Drive
Salt Flat, TX 79847-9400
Telephone Number - (915) 828-3251
El Paso Museum of Art- Extensive Collection of Colonial Art
El Paso Museum of Art has a permanent and extensive collection of greater than 6,000 works of art. This includes the Samuel Kress Collection from thirteenth to eighteenth century and colonial art from Mexico. To know more, click
here.
Address - One Arts Festival Plaza (downtown)
El Paso, TX 79901
Telephone Number - (915) 532-1707
El Paso Museum of History: Reflects US-Mexican Heritage
El Paso Museum of History features more than sixteen thousand square feet of exhibition space. There are around 5 galleries showcasing US-Mexico border’s history. Exhibits revolve around the brilliant da Vinci and early Spanish explorers. Galleries which are spellbinding include Wall of Giants and Changing Pass. Click
here to know all about this museum.
Address - 510 N. Santa Fe Street
El Paso, TX 79901
Telephone Number - 915-351-3588
Fax: 915-351-4345
Ardovinos Desert Crossing Farmer’s Market-The Finest Wares on Display
This amazing farmer’s market is located 12 minutes from El Paso’d downtown area and 5 minutes from the racetrack and casino at Sunland Park. You get the finest and freshest wares each morning on Saturdays. Click
here to know more about this.
Address - 1 Ardovino Dr.
Sunland Park , NM 88063
Telephone Number -575-589-0653
E-mail Address: customerservice@ardovinos.com
El Paso Zoo- One of the Biggest Zoos in Texas
This is one of the best places to take a family on a holiday. El Paso is located in 35 acres and is home to stunning tourist attractions such as African Star Train and the Foster Tree House Playground. Visit the zoo
online.
Address - 4001 E Paisano Drive
El Paso, TX 79905
Telephone Number - 915- 521-1850
E-mail Address: elpasozoo@elpasotexas.gov
People and Culture of El Paso
El Paso during the first quarter of the twentieth century experienced a population decline only to see it double during the next decade, reaching 276,687 in the 1960s. The population of this city is largely Hispanic and Latin American. El Paso has a rich ethnic mix comprising Asians, Indian Americans and African Americans as well. In 2000s, the population is well beyond 560,500. 75% of El Paso comprises Latin Americans. EL Paso is perfect for hiking and rock climbing. It is also home to numerous museums showcasing the city’s unique cultural heritage such as Wilderness Park Museum, El Paso Museum of Art and more. Sun Bowl hosts soccer games and provides reasonably priced entertainment. El Paso also has an energetic and vibrant nighlige and the Sun Capital of Texas is a unique blend of American and Spanish cultures.
Time Zones and Phone Codes for El Paso
Time Zone
Mountain Standard Time/MST is the time zone followed in El paso. DST is observed in El Paso . DST starts at March 8, 2015 at 2:00 am local time and ends November 1, 2015 at 2:00 am local time.
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT-7 hours
Daylight saving time: 1 hour
Current time zone offset: UTC/GMT -6 hour
Time zone abbreviation: MST
Phone Codes of El Paso
Area Code of El Paso - 915
International Country Code: 1
Best Time to Visit El Paso
El Paso always remains sunny and warm. The best time to visit this city is between October and April. Really hot weather in summers is what makes El Paso the perfect city for your vacations. However, those fond of hiking and camping should plan a trip in fall as summer is when most national parks are closed.
El Paso Festivals
March-May
June-August
September-November
December-February
El Paso Map Guide
