Downtown El Paso Walking Tour

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The El Paso Museum of History was established in 1974. At that time, the museum focused on military history and was known as the Cavalry Museum. Leaders of the organization recognized the need to interpret the history of the early army posts of the region in a larger context, and worked to include exhibits related to social history. In 1980 the name of the museum was officially changed to the El Paso Museum of History and in the early 2000s, the new downtown museum facility was completed. The museum holds five galleries that are home to permanent exhibits that focus on the diverse and once separate neighborhoods of the city, the growth of the area from Native inhabitants and its role as a transportation corridor in the Spanish colonial era, the growth of the city and its leading industries, El Paso's unique history as a Borderlands community, and an exhibit dedicated to the famous 1966 Texas Western collegiate basketball championship team. The remaining galleries hold a variety of exhibits that change throughout the year. The highlight of the museum is an interactive digital wall that allows visitors to explore every aspect of El Paso history and even share their memories.

2. El Paso Museum of Art

The El Paso Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of European, Mexican, American and contemporary art. It was founded in 1972 and has the distinction of being the sole museum to have received accreditation from the Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in a 250-mile radius. With around 80,000 visitors per year, the museum is an active institution, not only presenting changing exhibitions but also offering lectures, musical performances, workshops and other programs.

3. Plaza Theatre

Designed by Dallas-based architect W. Scott Dunne in the Spanish Colonial style, the Plaza Theatre has been one of El-Paso's most popular landmarks since it opened in 1930. It is part of a performing arts center that also features a 200-seat theater. The interior of the main theater, the Kendall Kidd Performance Hall, is what makes the Plaza so popular because it gives patrons the illusion of being outside in a plaza surrounded by buildings. The side walls feature terraces above arched passageways, large plants placed along the walls, tile roofs, and a ceiling that looks like the night sky. The theater also features mosaic tiled floors, intricately painted ceilings, and decorative metal railings, balconies, and light fixtures that reflect the Spanish theme. The Plaza was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

4. Historic Sidewalk Clock

Situated in the southern corner of San Jacinto Plaza is this historic clock manufactured in 1911 by the E. Howard & Company of Boston. The clock is made out of cast iron and features to large circular glass faces and decorative detailing. The clock sits atop a classical-style column and reaches a height of fifteen feet.

5. El Paso County Civil War Historical Marker

This marker is inscribed with information about El Paso County during and slightly before the Civil War. What follows is directly from the marker and it's inscription. El Paso voted 871 to 2 in favor of secession. At the start of Civil War local Minutemen were organized to provide frontier protection. The San Elizario Spy Company was mustered into Confederate service on July 11, 1861.

6. Hotel Cortez

The former Hotel Cortez is one of the more unique buildings in El Paso. Built in 1926, it was designed by prominent local architect firm Trost & Trost in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It features many decorative elements including busts of helmeted conquistadores, a Spanish coat of arms, an elaborate three-story main entrance, and two bracket-supported balconies on the fifth floor. Currently, the building is home to commercial space and offices.

7. O. T. Bassett Tower

The O. T. Bassett Tower was built in 1930 and is significant as an early example of skyscraper construction in the city and a fine example of Art Deco architecture. It is named after the father of its builder, Charles N. Bassett, who was a prominent El Paso banker. For his part, O.T. Bassett was a lumberman, banker, and served as the city councilman. Architect Henry Trost, of the firm Trost & Trost, designed the building, which stands 15 stories tall (215 feet high). The building features setbacks at the tenth and thirteenth floor; terra cotta, art stone, marble, granite, and geometric decorative elements; stone eagles and gargoyles; and an elaborate main entrance with a portrait bust that is believed to be Trost. The building was converted to a hotel in 2018.

8. State National Bank

The former State National Bank building is both significant for its architecture and the role it played in El Paso's economic development during the early 20th century. Notable local architect Henry C. Trost designed the bank in the Second Renaissance Revival style and the building is an excellent example of that style. Constructed in 1922, the building features two-story arched windows, classical molding details, and decorative elements such as cartouches and floral motifs. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

9. Palace Theater

The former Palace Theater is a historic early 20th-century theater located in downtown El Paso. Originally called the Alhambra Theater, the building features a beautiful, ornate facade that is a combination of the Spanish Colonial and Moorish Revival styles. The facade features arches, columns, and decorative arabesque and Islamic script. The theater was built in 1914. As of September 2019, Abundant Living Faith Center is developing plans to open a downtown campus in the former theater.

10. Hotel Paso Del Norte

Hotel Paso Del Norte is one of the most recognizable landmarks in El Paso. Erected in 1912 after two years of construction, it was designed by the architect firm Trost & Trost—which designed many other buildings in the city—in a combination of the Chicago and Beaux-Arts styles. The building features an elaborate exterior with many decorative elements including large windows (some of which have arches) and white terra cotta trim. The interior features an elaborate lobby topped with a large, 25-foot diameter Tiffany dome. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, it is now a Marriott hotel.

11. El Paso Exploreum

El Paso Exploreum is a children’s interactive museum that engages the entire family in creative, unique and hands-on gun. It is the first such museum created for children to learn and explore the basics of STEM (Science, Technology, Electronics and Mathematics) principles. A non-profit organization, the Exploreum operates a series of rotating exhibits that change every few months to keep the experience dynamic and exciting for the visitors. Designed as a flexible exhibit to give El Paso residents an active voice in the development of a permanent children’s museum, the new facility offers a wide variety of interactive exhibits for all ages.

12. El Paso & Southwestern Railroad Locomotive Number One

Located inside the Union Plaza Transit Terminal is the historic Locomotive No. One, which was built in 1857. It is one of the oldest trains of the steam railroading era. The Breese, Kneeland & Company of Jersey City built it for the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company. There is a small visitor center with exhibits where people can view the locomotive and learn more information about it as well as the history of railroading in the West.

13. Union Depot

Union Depot is a historic train station erected in 1905 by the El Paso Union Passenger Depot Company, which was established in 1903. The depot was the first train station in the country built specifically for international travel and trade. Architect Daniel Burnham, who designed Union Station in Washington D.C., designed the depot in the Neo-Classical style. The red-brick building features a six-story bell tower with arched openings and a large waiting room. More than its architecture, the depot symbolizes how crucial railroads were for El Paso during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places April 3, 1975.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Downtown El Paso Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on September 21st 2019, 3:49:52 pm.

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Description

This short walk through downtown El Paso includes a baker's dozen of landmarks, museums, and other historical landmarks beginning at Union Depot which was constructed in 1905. The tour winds its way east to landmark downtown buildings such as Hotel Paso Del Norte and Plaza Theatre and includes the El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Museum of History. This tour includes only a handful of the landmarks, markers, and museums in El Paso on Clio. Be sure to also consider visiting several of the historic missions, cultural centers, and museums beyond the center of downtown covered by this short walking tour.

Entries on This Tour

Downtown El Paso Walking Tour

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