This historical home that once belonged to famed El Pasoan Richard Burges today provides information about the development of the city and county. The building in classic Revival style is an architectural anomaly in the Southwest, yet it is an attraction in its own right. Today, the home houses the El Paso Historical Society office and guests are encouraged to visit and learn more about why this man was so important to the city's people, not just in politics, construction and other endeavors, but in ecological preservation as well. In fact, Burges played an instrumental part in the development and conservation of the famed Carlsbad Caverns.
The famous city designer and architect Daniel Burnham designed this historic three-story building in his trademark neoclassic style. The station was erected in 1906 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Over those last 70 years, the station gradually fell into disrepair until the city restored the entire structure in the 1980s. Today, Amtrak has trains that run through its terminals and if you find yourself downtown, it's definitely a building that deserves a visit.
The Chamizal National Memorial, with its large park, museum, gallery and a spacious amphitheater, is a vibrant multi-functional hot spot for culturally diverse events and activities. The museum educates visitors on the 1963 settling of the US-Mexico border dispute and the amphitheater hosts the annual Siglo de Oro Drama Festival. In addition to educational opportunities, the park also offers recreational activities such as picnicking, hiking, and birdwatching. The park's trails wind through desert landscapes and provide opportunities for visitors to observe local flora and fauna.
This 42 foot tall statue of Christ atop what used to be called 'Mule Drivers Mountain' (now Mount Cristo Rey) is a monument to those in the Catholic faith. Its location at an elevation of 4,675-ft. and the accompanying 4.4-mile trail (round-trip) is constantly traversed by hikers, the curious and almost everybody else who is in the area. Its original conception came from a parish priest who erected a wooden cross here in 1934. Thereafter in 1939, the church commissioned sculptor Urbici Soler to design the base and statue. And though the face on the statue resembles the one on the famous Corcovado in Brazil, this one is quite smaller and little less scenic, however once you reach the top, you can see into Mexico, New Mexico and Texas at the same time.
Still an active military base today, Fort Bliss has a long history that goes back more than a hundred years in the state of Texas. In that year o f 1849, the post was created to protect the area from Mexican and Indian raids. Over the last century, the base has deployed thousands and thousands of soldiers as well as trained them. On the base, guests can find a visitors center which details its history.
When a fleet of Pueblo Indians escaped from New Mexico during the Revolt of 1680, they settled on the southern banks of the Rio Grande, where they began a new life in the town of Socorro.Two years later in 1682, the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción del Socorro was formed to serve the newly displaced settlers. Fifty years later, a massive flood destroyed the original edifice and another was built on its site. That structure also became a casualty in another flood from 1829. Finally, the third and present mission was erected using some of the salvaged materials from the other churches in 1843. The structure, a stunning stuccoed edifice, not only embodies a distinct architectural style, but also represents the storied history of this important mission that took root several centuries ago. Inside, traditional vigas or painted roofs, beautifully re-purposed from the original 18th-century mission, are of special historical and cultural importance. This beautiful building hosts events and other services, including the annual festival in September to honor the patron saint Michael.
Take the El Paso Mission Trail to get a glimpse of this cow-town's frontier past. This nine mile (14.5km) stretch has the famous missions Ysleta and Socorro alongside the San Elizario Presidio and Chapel. The trail originated back between the 16th and 17th Centuries. In fact, these churches are some of the oldest in the country. Check out the pioneer county jail which housed the infamous Billy the Kid or the exhibit on the Salt War of 1877. The Tigua Cultural Center chronicles five centuries of history, from Indian origins to the Spanish conquest. Each of these historic sanctuaries will transport you to a different era. If you want to know the real El Paso, then this trail is an interesting place to start.