El Pasoans share a fascination and passion for history that visitors to our city find remarkable. Our heritage surrounds us every day, an indelible part of our city's character.
The name El Paso itself has a rich historical significance. It is a shortened version of El Paso del Rio del Norte, the name given to the pristine river valley by conquistador Don Juan de Oņate more than four centuries ago.
El Paso has seen and remembered the westward expansion of pioneer America, the coming of the railroads to the western frontier, the days of outlaw and gunslingers, Indian wars and Indian peace, the birth of the U.S. Cavalry and the Texas Rangers.
Here are some El Paso history web sites:
· Mission Trail Association - A tour of the historic Missions of West Texas
· El Paso Preservation Alliance - Their mission is to preserve and revitalize the neighborhoods in El Paso's designated historic districts
1581 - The first Europeans reach the Pass of the North, together with the army of the Rodriguez-Chamuscado expedition.
1598 - Don Juan de Oņate colonizes the area and it is officially named "El Paso del Norte."
1659 - The first Spanish-Indian settlement is founded in the area now known as Juarez, Mexico.
1680 - The Tigua Indians, together with other Spanish masters, after fleeing the Pueblo Revolt in what is now modern day New Mexico, make their new home in Ysleta del Sur.
1780 - The Spanish military garrison in San Elizario is founded.
1827 - Juan Maria Ponce de Léon establishes his hacienda, "Ponce's Ranch"- in what is now downtown El Paso.
1848 - To protect the settlers from marauding Apaches, the first U.S. Army post is created at the "Pass."
1858-1859 El Paso thrives as a major stop for the famous Butterfield Overland Mail Coach.
1873 - El Paso becomes a U.S. city.
1881 - The first train arrives in El Paso.
1881-1887 El Paso's rambunctious era of gunfighters, cattle rustlers, saloons, famous marshals and Texas Rangers - the Wild West!
1909 - Mexican President Porfirio Diaz hosts U.S. President Howard Taft in Juarez, a first ever meeting between leaders of the two countries.
1916 - General "Black Jack" Pershing's expedition against the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa begins.
1943 - The horses and horse equipment of the Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss are turned in, and the days of the horse mounted cavalry end forever.
1963 - Congress recognizes the settlement of a 100- year boundary dispute between Mexico and the U. S. by dedicating a portion of the land acquired from Mexico and creating the present-day "Chamizal National Memorial."
1967 - The State of Texas recognizes the Tigua Indian community, located in Ysleta.
1968 - Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Gustavo Diaz Ordaz meet in El Paso and Juarez to sign the final minutes of the Chamizal Settlement of 1963.
1968 - The Federal Government officially classifies the Tigua Indians as a surviving tribe of American Indians and transfers all trust responsibilities to the State of Texas.
1972 - The doors to the multi-million dollar Convention & Performing Arts Center in downtown El Paso opens.
1993 - Gambling returns to Texas for the first time since the turn of the century, with the opening of Speaking Rock Casino.
2002 - Gambling leaves El Paso when the state declares gambling in Texas is illegal and shuts down Speaking Rock Casino but remains alive and well at nearby Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, which is located a footstep across the Texas border in New Mexico.
2002 - Massive renovation of El Paso Convention & performing Arts Center is completed.