BHC Photo Mondays

Hi All! 

Every Monday the Border Heritage Center will post 2 photos from our collections seeking assistance in identifying the individuals, buildings, places, businesses, and/or events on the El Paso Public Library's Facebook page. 

We hope you check us out on https://www.facebook.com/ELPASOPUBLICLIBRARY/ and if you have any information to contribute, please contact BHC at LibBorder@elpasotexas.gov. Thank you!

Mandy's Hunt for History - Golfing Mandy

Mandy ran across a fun snippet of history the other day, it was about miniature golf in El Paso. Who doesn't enjoy a game of miniature golf? The fun, bright themed courses, the challenge to not only beat your competitor but the course as well, Mandy wanted to know more!

On May 23, 1930 it was reported in the El Paso Evening Post that the business of miniature golf was booming. Since January of that year, 7 privately owned courses had been built in the city. Which was the first course built Mandy wondered. Mandy decided in order to find out she needed to do some research.

Mandy discovered the following 1929 article in the El Paso Evening Post.

El Paso Evening Post, October 18, 1929, pg. 23, captured May 20, 2020 from microfilm

Turns out a miniature golf course was built at Washington Park in the fall of 1929 by J. E. Brown. He named his course Pas-O-Link and included all the fun and challenging obstacles a regular golf course would, including bridges, streams, and sand bunkers. Mr. Brown wanted the public to be able to play at night as well, so the course was being wired for lighting. The article was brief and included no photos. Oh, what did it look like Mandy wondered...

If Pas-O-Link miniature golf course looked like Mandy imagined it would be so much fun to play on she thought. Mandy continued to scroll through the microfilm and ran across the following ad the next day.

El Paso Evening Post, October 19, 2020, pg. 16, captured May 20, 2020 from microfilm.

The photo in the ad is not the best but at least we get an idea as to what the entrance looked like. Seems like there was plenty of shade with all those trees!

Mandy discovered in other ads that it was only 25 cents to play at Pas-O-Link Golf Course - what a bargain!

Who's up for a game of golf? Mandy's got next! 

Mandy's Hunt for History - Revisiting Halley's Comet in 1910

A century ago El Pasoans witnessed an extraordinary event - Halley's Comet! 

Halley's Comet, also known as Comet Halley, is a short period comet whose orbit around the sun averages about 75 years to complete (Halley's orbit periods have been recorded to be as short as 74 years and as long as 79 years). Which means that every 75 years or so, Halley's Comet returns and is visible to us on Earth. Halley's Comet is named after English astronomer, Edmond Halley. He proposed comets could repeat orbits and not just have a single trip across the solar system as was previously believed. He proposed the comets sighted in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were in fact one, single comet repeating its orbit. Based on his research, he calculated the comet's next appearance would be in 1758-1759. He was correct! The comet reappeared in Earth's vicinity in 1758 and was named in honor of Halley in 1759.   

Since 1758, Halley's Comet has orbited the sun three additional times, in 1835, 1910, and 1986. Scientists and astronomers have been following Comet Halley for centuries but it wasn't until 1910 that they were able to do much more than observe it, they were able to photograph it! That's right, Comet Halley was photographed for the first time in 1910. Check out the photo of Halley's Comet in El Paso below!

Photo Courtesy of the El Paso Public Libray, Border Heritage Center's Picture File Collection

Mandy decided she needed to see Halley's Comet for herself and set out to revisit the early morning hours of May 16, 1910 in El Paso. Can you spot Mandy in the photo? 

Halley's Comet was most visible in the El Paso sky in the months of April and May of 1910. According to news reports, Halley's Comet was best seen in the El Paso sky in the early morning, at about 4:00 a.m. Mandy was wondering why the street was so empty! The news brief below notes Mr. Henry Cappell first saw Halley's Comet in El Paso on April 20, 1910.

El Paso Herald, April 20, 1910, front page, captured May 13, 2020 from microfilm

Tomorrow, May 16, 2020, is the 110 year anniversary of when the photo was taken. The back of the photo provides us with some important information - how the library came to have the photo. Mandy realized an interesting coincidence as well!

Photo courtesy of the El Paso Public Library, Border Heritage Center's Picture File Collection

Halley's Comet is set to return to Earth's vicinity in 2061, 41 years from now. Mandy can't wait to share the experience with you all then!

 

Mandy's Hunt for History - Handy Mandy

Handy Mandy

Give Mandy a hand as she explores one of the downtown construction sites in 1918. What do you think is being built? Can you find all of the eight places where she went? To access the original image click here.

For more of Mandy's adventures visit Mandy's Hunt for History Page Friday afternoons.

Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?

Often mistaken as Mexico's Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is not Mexico's Independence Day. Mexico's independence was declared on September 16, 1810, 52 years earlier than May 5, 1862, the date the Cinco de Mayo holiday is commemorating. 

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the defeat of the French army by the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, between 2,000-5,000 Mexican troops stood firm against France's 6,000. The battle was fought throughout the day and came to an end when French General Charles de Lorencez retreated his army. It is estimated fewer than 100 Mexcian soldiers were lost in the battle to the nearly 500 French soldiers. Although Mexico's war with France continued for five more years, ultimately ending in 1867, the Battle of Puebla was a great moral victory for Mexico and re-energized the country in its ongoing violent affair with France.

So how did a smaller, less experienced Mexican army defeat the French? Perhaps the map below can shed some light. The map is of the city of Puebla and its surroundings and depicts the locations of both Mexican and French troops during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

To learn more about the map and view the map's record in its entirety on the Portal to Texas History, click here.

Mandy's Hunt for History - Poppies in Bloom

Poppies in Bloom

Mandy found herself lost again. This time she is in the beautiful blooms of the Transmountain poppy fields. Help her find the way out of this maze, so she can continue her explorations.

For more information on the poppies, check out this article by the El Paso Times. 

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Mandy's Hunt for History - Star Search

Star Search

As Mandy trekked across the Franklin Mountain, the sun began to fade behind the mountain leaving Mandy stranded in the dark. Help Mandy reach the Star on the mountain, so she can find her way home again.

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Earth Day 2020

Happy Earth Day

Border Heritage Center wishes you well on this Earth Day and would like to share digital resources with you on plants of El Paso and the Southwest.

Chamizal - https://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm

Franklin Mountains State Park - https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains/nature

Keystone Heritage Park - https://keystoneheritagepark.com/

Rio Bosque Wetlands Park - https://www.utep.edu/cerm/rio-bosque/education.html

UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens - https://www.utep.edu/centennial-museum/chihuahuan-desert-gardens/

Mandy's Hunt for History - Downtown St. Louis Street

Mandy has traveled back in time to early 20th century downtown El Paso to see what downtown looked like before 1910! Mandy is exploring St. Louis Street, what is Mills Street today. Can you spot Mandy in the photo?

She dropped by right in the middle of a busy day. People are walking about, possibly heading to work, to shop, or to handle important business. Horse carriages are spotted along the street and there's even a street car making its way down St. Louis Street! If you think about Mills Street today and look at this photo, what jumps out at you that is different?

                              Photo Credit: Border Heritage Center, El Paso Public Library, Otis A. Aultman Collection, Retrieved from: http://www.digie.org/media/58911 

Were you able to find Mandy? You can spot her in 3 different locations.

If you're having a little trouble, here's some clues:

1. Mandy is looking both ways before crossing the street from San Jacinto Plaza.
2. Mandy decided to mail herself a postcard for fun to remember her trip, you can find her on the top of the building that once had the U.S Post Office inside. Pssst...the Federal Building.
3. Mandy can last be seen taking in the view of downtown El Paso from the top of the hotel that was destroyed by fire in 1929. Interestingly, this same building is where the El Paso Public Library began back in 1894 as a reading club for boys! If you're thinking of the Hotel Sheldon/Sheldon Building, you're correct!

There's so much to see and talk about in this photo! Have a question or a comment? Let Mandy and us know below!

Mandy's Hunt for History - The Canyon

Follow Mandy the Mule on her trek through history. 

Mandy appears eight times in the image.

For more information on the photograph and to access the original image, click here.

Mexican Revolution Digital Resources

The Mexican Revolution was a major catalyst in the development of today's borderland.

Here are some digital resources to learn more:

With an El Paso Public Library card, you can check these out digitally: 

Mexican Revolution

Here are links to our latest image releases on Portal to Texas History. See these and more images through the Portal:

• https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth187943/
• https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth187945/
• https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth187937/
• https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth187939/
• https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth187940/

UNM LATIN AMERICAN& IBERIAN INSTITUTE

UNT

Library of Congress

Everything El Paso Digital Resources

Everything El Paso

Access Resources About El Paso Digitally

Use your El Paso Public Library Card to access these digital resources and others:

El Paso

See photos of El Paso through our partner page at Portal to Texas History:

https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/partners/ELPL/

See and add your own photos of El Paso to the El Paso Museum of History's DIGIE:

http://www.digie.org/

Border Heritage Center Status 3/19/2020 *Update 3/28/2020

COVID-19 Update 3/19/2020

*UPDATE 3/28/2020 the library is staff is no longer taking phone calls, but questions may be submitted using the Ask A Librarian form on the website here.

The El Paso Public Library has closed all branches until further notice due to the social distancing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 within El Paso. 

During this time period:

- All library materials checked out will not accrue fines during this period of closure.

- All loan periods on items currently checked out will be extended during this time period. 

- Digital materials can continue to be checked out and returned with your library card.

- The Border Heritage Center will not offer research services as the materials will be unavailable, and the department phone will not be monitored.

- The blog post schedule might not follow the regular once a week schedule as it will be dependent upon staff availability.

- An active full service library card can get you access to the TexShare databases for learning and research resources.

-For more information, you can contact the library through the Ask A Librarian contact form here or call your library branch for more information.

- For questions about WorkPLACE, please call 915-212-3267. Please leave a message if there is no answer.

For more information on COVID-19 see the City of El Paso's resource page here.

Please take precautions for your health, and thank you for your understanding. 

We look forward to assisting you with your research once we reopen to the public.

New Books Alert

We are pleased to inform you that a new shipment of books has just arrived at our department and is now available to read in the library or check them out to enjoy at home. If you are unable to come downtown, just place a hold to be picked up at your nearest El Paso Public Library Branch.

The titles include but are not limited to:

• Texans On The Brink
• Postcards from the Chihuahuan Border
• Land of Nuclear Enchantment
• The Art of Texas 250 Years
• Murals of the Americas
• Si El Paso
• Frontier Forts of Texas
• Phoenix Television
• Movies (And Other Things)
• Encantado
• Ballad of a Slopsucker
• Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide
• Cabañuelas
• This American Autopsy
• Yolqui
• Two Desperados
• Charros
• Pueblo Sovereignty
• Snake Poems
• Other Musics
• Chicano Communists
• Citizen Illegal
• Medicine Women
• Meditación Fronteriza
• Border Brokers

Happy Reading!

Sanatorium

Health Havens in the Sun City

St. Joseph's Sanatorium - El Paso, TX

Sanatorium: A facility of long term medical care most closely associated with the treatment of tuberculosis. 

Before the discovery of antibiotics, tuberculosis, or consumption, was a major threat to public health. The desperation of lungers seeking climate treatment was seen throughout the Southwest. That includes El Paso. The earliest mention of Sanatoriums in the local papers was the El Paso Times January 4th issue of 1893. The popularity of Sanatoria created the opportunity for specialization of the facilities such as fraternal sanatoriums and even a baby sanatorium.

One of the many sanatoriums that operated in El Paso was St. Joseph's Sanatorium. It was started by the Sisters of St. Joseph on August 21, 1927. The first year, they cared for 32 patients suffering from tuberculosis. Even after Tuberculosis sufferers had lessened, the usefulness of the facility had not. In fact, the sister later needed to appeal to the city of El Paso for assistance in an expansion. The older building needed undergo changes for safety purposes, but they also needed more space to support a growing number of patients suffering long term illnesses.

In 1971, the new facility that boasted space for 118 patients and more health services.The original St. Joseph's building was remodeled and was renamed the Mt. Franklin Center.

Rendering for Sister's Sanatorium

Proposed Sanatorium for Dr. L.T. Liddell

Rendering for Masonic Sanatorium

More Resources on Sanatoriums in the Southwest

 
Doctors of medicine in New Mexico : a history of health and medical practice, 1886-1986
Memoirs of a country doctor
Images are available through our partner page at The Portal to Texas History
El Paso Vertical Files
El Paso Herald / El Paso Herald Post Microfilm
El Paso Times Microfilm

Join our neighbors, the El Paso County Historical Society in celebrating Women's History Month with a local flair! *Update EPCHS closed until further notice as of 3/18/2020, but you can visit their online exhibit

Visit the Online Exhibit of Women as Social Agents of Change: El Paso Social Housekeepers, 1880-1930

On March 7, 2020 at 12:00 pm, the El Paso County Historical Society welcomes the public to the grand opening of “Women as Social Agents of Change: El Paso Social Housekeepers, 1880-1930,” an exhibit about El Paso suffragettes who advanced women’s involvement in society through activism in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries. The event, which will take place at the Burges House (603 W. Yandell), will be followed at 2:30 pm by a talk by archivist Susan Novick titled “Charity Work and Civic Improvement: Jewish Women’s Activism in El Paso from 1889-1930.” Later in the month, on March 28, 2020 at 11:00 am, UTEP professor Dr. Elisabeth Sommer and local researcher Kathy Pepper will present a talk titled “Modern Woman: Historical Trends in Fashion, 1880-1920” at the Burges House.

Women’s History Month began in Santa Rosa, California in 1978 as a week-long observance. Today, it is celebrated nationally throughout the month of March and is established by presidential proclamation. Women’s History Month is meant to honor the women who transformed the United States through their vision, perseverance, and actions.

“The events to be held at the historical society underscore the local roots of Women’s History Month. So many important local women of different backgrounds have made El Paso and the Southwest better because of their efforts to further the suffrage movement and promote charity work,” says Joseph Longo, curator at the El Paso County Historical Society.

Each event is family friendly, free, and open to the public. Individuals who cannot attend the opening of the exhibit can visit the Burges House (603 W. Yandell), headquarters of the El Paso County Historical Society, Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm. The exhibit will run throughout March 2020.

Please call 915-533-3603 or email epchs@elpasohistory.com for more information.

Renovation Awareness *Updated 3/17/2020

Changes are coming to Main Library.

*UPDATED March 17, 2020

In an effort to offer a longer notice period for patrons who have not been made aware of availability changes, the final date of availability for any reference resources located in the Perrenot Room including Southwest Reference Books, Architectural Drawing, Archives, Photos, and Postcards will be available through Friday March 20, 2020. 

Saturday March 21, 2020, there will be no materials accessible for reference or patron usage.

Please be aware that due to current public health guidelines established by the CDC, the patron capacity for library facilities has been greatly reduced. Patrons may experience wait times to enter the facility and computer usage is limited to one hour sessions per person a day.  

In anticipation of the City's Mexican American Cultural Center co-location project, Main Library will undergo a renovation creating new collection/service/work spaces. The renovation will affect Border Heritage's collection availability throughout its duration since Border Heritage will be moved temporarily to Main Library's Mezzanine. As space will be limited, only a small portion of Border Heritage materials will be available throughout the renovation.

This selection is expected to include:

• The El Paso Times, Lone Star, and Herald Post microfilm
• The library's newspaper indexes
• The El Paso Vertical Files, the Citizens Vertical Files, and the Mexico Vertical Files
• A selection of circulating materials
• Historical Maps
• A portion of the El Paso City Directory Collection  

Border Heritage will continue to offer reference services and research assistance (in a limited capacity) as well.

Unfortunately, Border Heritage's archival materials and special collections will be unavailable throughout the renovation. These include:

• The Reference Southwest Collection
• The Reference RAZA Collection
• The Reference Genealogy Collection
• The Southwest/RAZA/Genealogy Periodicals
• The microfilm/fiche collection with the exception of the El Paso Times, El Paso Herald Post, and Lone Star
• Photograph Collections
• Architectural Drawing Collections
• Yearbook Collection
• Postcard Collections
• The great majority of the El Paso City Directory Collection
• The Southwest Vertical Files, El Paso Municipal Files, and El Paso Public Library Files
• All archival papers, records, and collections

Beginning February 24, 2020 access to Border Heritage's Reference Southwest Collection and archival materials will be limited as work to reorganize and shift materials in Border Heritage's Perrenot Room will begin.

On March 2, 2020, the Perrenot Room and all of its contents (Reference Southwest, archival materials, etc.) will be inaccessible until Main Library reopens after the renovation.

We thank you for your past patronage, and look forward to your continued visits throughout the renovation! Please contact Border Heritage with any questions or concerns and for additional information.

El Paso at Sea: USS El Paso

USS El Paso

Photo from the El Paso Times

The USS El Paso was in fact named after the city and county of El Paso. Her initial launch was on May 17, 1969 and she was later decommissioned April 21, 1994. The USS El Paso was not the only vessel from the fleet to bear the namesake of the Sun City. Previously, a patrol frigate built in 1943 had taken the name of El Paso.

The commissioning of the ship was a major historical event, which can been seen through the plans made for El Pasoans to be in attendance. American Airlines chartered a jet to deliver El Pasoans to the commissioning in Norfolk, Virginia for a fee of $121.24 at a 53% discount. The commissioning took place January 17, 1970.

For More Information Visit These Resources:

• El Paso Vertical File USS El Paso
• El Paso Times Microfilm
• El Paso Herald Post Microfilm

Mount Cristo Rey

Mount Cristo Rey is an iconic monument for three states: Chihuahua, Texas, and New Mexico. The establishment of a local pilgrimage began with the parishioners and leader, Monsignor Lourdes F. Costa, of the Smeltertown Church of San Jose. Even before the statue and path up the mountain had been erected, small groups endured the treacherous journey up the mountain on their pilgrimage. The idea of establishing a pilgrimage and building such a monument is credited to Father Costa.

One of the earliest changes that occurred in this project was the name. Before, the area was known as Cerros de los Muleros or Mule Drivers Mountain. It was through a petition that the pariush submitted to the government that the mountain would forever be known as Mount Cristo Rey or Sierra de Cristo Rey. Not only did the community of Smeltertown pave the way for easier travels by serving as the main voluntary workforce, they also helped raise a large sum of financial donations to fund the project.

Costa turned to fellow Spaniard Urbici Soler, an accomplished sculptor, when it came time to design and build the monument for the top of Mount Cristo Rey. The limestone which makes up the 29 foot statue came from a quarry in Austin, Texas. The commitment of Soler to his project was notable through his daily schedule when working on the sculpture. Every day he would begin work at 4 a.m. and continue working until sundown through the project's completion.

The project was a success as it has served as a pilgrimage location since 1939. The pilgrimage continues every October.

To Learn More Seek these Sources:

• To view more images of Cristo Rey past and present day see the Cristo Rey Picture File or the DIGIE.
• El Paso Vertical File - Cristo Rey
• El Paso Vertical File - Priests
• Calleros Collection
•  More library materials.
• http://mtcristorey.com/

Family Day: DIGIE 2020

El Paso Museum of HistoryDIGIE

The El Paso Museum of History is celebrating the five year anniversary of their Digital Wall. It serves as a digital archive accessible online, but more notably through their interactive wall on the Hunt Family Pavilion. The DIGIE can also be accessed through a travelling Mini DIGIE which is placed at various locations throughout the city. This digital wall is the only one of its kind in the United States. To learn more follow the link here.

Thank you to the El Paso Museum of History for inviting Border Heritage Center to participate in their celebration.

Immigrant Stories in Books

Jeanine Cummins' American Dirt has taken the country by storm in an uproar of discussion on immigrant stories, immigrant portrayal in literature, and who can be the stewards of these stories.

For now, we can offer a selection of works about immigration experiences both fictional and fact.

Here are a few immigrant stories from the RAZA Collection:

Crossing Over by Ruben Martínez

The River Flows North by Graciela Limón

A Glass of Water by Jimmy Santiago Baca

House Built on Ashes by José Antonio Rodríguez

From This Wicked Patch of Dust Sergio Troncoso

The Border Patrol Ate My Dust by Alicia Alarcón

Check out the RAZA Collection for more books by Mexican American authors and books about Mexican Americans.

The library's RAZA Collection had its beginnings during the Chicano movement of the 1970's. This collection is used both for research and recreational reading, the collection continues to grow as the publication of new works by and about Mexican Americans continues to flourish.

Upcoming Events - February 2020

Border Heritage Out and About 

Border Heritage will be participating in the El Paso Museum of History's 

For more information on the event see the event page here.

Learn more about the DIGIE here

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

One group who have comprised a large part of the victims of such actions as human trafficking is immigrants. People of our border region especially have heard many cautionary tales of coyotes and the dangers that immigrants face during their journey.

All of these stories should be remembered like all aspects of history to be learned from. One such story is an incident which occurred in Sierra Blanca, TX in 1987:

A headline that reads "18 found dead in boxcar" was splashed across the local papers on the morning of July 3rd, 1987. Of the 19 men that entered the train's boxcar in an El Paso railyard the previous night, one man was found alive in the morning. The sole survivor was able to survive through a small hole that had been pierced in the floor of the nearly airtight cargo holder. Over the following weeks, the papers memorialized the victims through interviews with family members and biographies. Men who were on a last trip to earn money for their family never made it to their destination, and instead their families and friends were left the task of identifying their bodies.

If you are interested in reading the article of July 3rd, 1987 or the articles that followed, they can be accessed through the:

• El Paso Times Microfilm
• El Paso Herald Post Microfilm
• Southwest Vertical File on Immigrants - 1987 - current

Hole in the Wall

January 17, 1920 - The Volstead Act became enforceable. From today's legal status of alcohol throughout the country, we all know that that effort failed and was repealed. In fact, its failure is now celebrated through National Bootlegger's Day which is January 17th, the anniversary of the day prohibition became enforceable. While many regions saw a surge in many different criminal aspects, only in El Paso would the laws be abided by going to another country down the street.

Prohibition Parade in Henrietta, TX

A Hole in the Wall was an establishment that served alcohol just beyond the United States border during the time of prohibition. Many of these establishments were peppered across the border to meet the needs of those seeking libations. In an El Paso Herald Post article released on October 15, 1931, authorities suggest the impracticality of speakeasies in El Paso. Speakeasies in other cities were able to operate through the anonymity available in large cities which was not available in El Paso which was still relatively small. They also operated under the knowledge of authorities by paying protection fees. This would not allow for competition with establishments in Juarez who could legally sell alcohol.

Confiscated Whiskey Stills

While alcohol establishments were nonexistent according to law enforcement, bootleggers could be found in various places in El Paso, most notably, taxi stands.

Anti Prohibition Booklet

Prohibition had many groups at odds with each other. According to Art Leibson of the El Paso Times, El Paso gained the nickname 'Cradle of Repeal' for being one of the earliest places to launch efforts toward the repeal of Prohibition and the 18th Amendment. Even so, the Women's Christian Temperance Union was also active in El Paso. The W.C.T.U. was one of the champions of the anti-alcohol movement.

*The images in this post are not part of the El Paso Public Library Collections. They can be accessed through Portal to Texas History by clicking on the images.