El Paso

In 1598, the area was first claimed for Spain by Juan de Oñate, and named it El Paso del Rio del Norte. El Paso officially became part of the United States when Texas joined the Union in 1845. El Paso was originally known as Franklin and was incorporated in 1873 combining the small area communities that had developed along the river (Magoffinsville, Concordia, Hart’s Mill). It is today the 6th largest city in Texas. El Paso is located at the western tip of Texas on north of the Rio Grande. The Franklin Mountains extend down into the city from the north. It is the only major Texas city on Mountain Time. The Franklin Mountain State Park was created in 1979. It is the largest urban park in the United States and features exceptional geologic history and the highest structural point in Texas.

Its sister city south of the Rio Grande in Mexico, is Ciudad Juárez. Combined, the two cities are one of the largest urban area along the United States and Mexico border. El Paso is a bilingual city.

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Notable Events and Facts

• In 1943, horses and horse equipment of the Cavalry Division at Ft. Bliss were retired and the days of the horse-mounted cavalry ended forever.
• El Paso has the unpleasant distinction of being one of the main entry points for drug smuggling into the United States,
• The El Paso-Juárez international metropolitan area is the largest bi-national community on an international border in the world.
• The arrival of the railroads in 1881 was primarily responsible for El Paso becoming the metropolis it is today. If the railroads had bypassed El Paso, it would merely be a quaint border town.

Historic sites, museums and Places of Interest

El Paso Museum of History

The El Paso Museum of History was established in 1974 as the Cavalry Museum but quickly served a scope and purpose beyond its title and began to function as a local history museum. In 1980 the name of the museum was officially changed to the El Paso Museum of History. The museum promotes the understanding and significance of the rich multicultural and multinational history of the border region known as The Pass of the North.

510 N. Santa Fe Street
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 351-3588

El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Centers

At the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center you’ll find everything from circus performances, to trade shows, to concerts by major performing artists.

Franklin Mountains State Park

The Franklin Mountains State Park is a 24,000 acre park covers almost all of the Chihuahuan Desert Mountain Range and features the 7192-foot North Franklin Peak. There are several hiking trails that wind their way around caves and springs. Be sure to drive up Trans Mountain Road to experience some of the best views in the area. Camping available. For more information please visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
Be sure to check out the Wyler Aerial Tramway and get an eagle’s-eye view of 7,000-square miles of Southwestern natural beauty from atop Ranger Peak in El Paso’s Franklin Mountains. At 5,632 feet, sky-travelers spot the Hueco Mountains, New Mexico’s white sands and Mexico. Open Thu.– Mon. Extended hours on weekends. Admission fee.

1700 McKinley. 915-566-6622

El Paso Zoo

The El Paso Zoo is very small and unique in it’s own way. The El Paso Zoo is home to over 220 species of animals including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates from North and South America and Asia. The Zoo also has a carousel, as well as food and gift opportunities.

4001 E. Paisano El Paso, TX 79905-4223
915-521-1850 • Open daily at 9:30 a.m. Ticket booth closes at 4:00 p.m.

Shopping

Boots

El Paso is “Boot Capital of the World.” With over 12 manufactures or retailers you’re sure to find the perfect pair.

Basset Place

Bassett Place is a mainstay of fashion, food and fun! Centrally located, with easy access and convenience. It also includes Premiere Cinema 18, a luxurious movie going experience featuring stadium seating, all-digital sound and Premiere’s custom-made high-back rocking reclining love-seats that makes going to the movies special every time.

6101 Gateway Blvd W Ste 36-M
El Paso, TX
(915) 772-7479

Sunland Park Mall

Sunland Park Mall is a 2-level enclosed super regional shopping center.. Sunland Park is located just 4.2 miles from the Mexican Border and 1.5 miles from New Mexico.

750 Sunland Park Drive
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 833-5596

El Paso Outlet Mall

It’s formal name is The Outlet Shoppes of El Paso although many people simply call it the El Paso Outlet Mall. You’ll find great shops, attractive landscaping, and colorful fun-looking architecture.

It is is located directly to the side of I-10 between downtown El Paso and the New Mexico border.

7051 S Desert Blvd
Canutillo, TX 79835-8557
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 7 p.m.
915-877-3208

Night Life

Club 101

Alternative music for 21 and over crowd in a warehouse setting. Retro night is every Saturday and they also offer live shows most Fridays. Past performers include X, My Life with The Thrill Kill Kult, Agnostic Front, Nine Inch Nails, Frank Black, Morrissey, Sevendust, Fugazi, Mighty Lemon Drops.

1148 Airway Blvd
El Paso, TX 79925 915-544-2101

Hemingway’s Kern Place Tavern

Specializes in microbrews and imported beers. Popular local hangout.

214 Cincinnati Ave
El Paso, TX 79902 915-532-7333

Cincinnati Club

A friendly Texas bar with a basic menu. The house specialty is chili.

207 Cincinnati Ave
El Paso, TX 79902
915-532-5592

Climate

El Paso is protected by mountains on three sides, the dual cities of El Paso and Juárez, on the Mexican side, have a little more than 200 days of sunshine annually and a dry climate. The driest month in El Paso is April with 0.23 inches of precipitation, and with 1.75 inches August is the wettest month.

Geo

Latitude: 31.7586111 N
Longitude: -106.4863889 W
Elevation is 3,740 ft (1,140 m)
Average High Temperature (July): 95° F (35 °C)
Average Low Temperature (January): 55° F (13 °C)

Bio

El Pasos‘s population according to the Census bureau estimate for 2008 is 613,190 and it is ranked as the 21st largest city in the United States.