About Us

El Paso Fountain Photograph

The Border Heritage Center was established in 1995 through the combination of three major collections Southwest, Genealogy and Raza into one department at the Main Library. While the department was established in 1995, the library was actively collecting materials as early as 1902.

The purpose of the Center is to enhance the quality of life for El Pasoans and others by collecting, preserving, and making available information about the history and culture of the residents of El Paso, Cuidad Juarez, and the surrounding region. Activities, which promote understanding and appreciation of the region's history and culture, are integral to the role of the center.

The Border Heritage Center is located in the Main Library Branch to the right side after entering from the N. Oregon entrance.

San Jacinto and Buildings to the Southeast Photograph

Services

• For patrons in the library, black and white prints are $.10 per page and color prints are $.35 per page.

• Department tours are offered at no charge.

• Digital scans of collection photographs may be requested by submitting the following form. Fees are located on the form. Photo Request Form

• Digital scans of architectural holdings are also available by request. Please use the following link to access the request form. Architectural Drawings and Map Request Form

Current Projects

Archive Initiative

The department is collecting materials related to the August 3rd shooting and the community response that followed.

Collection Accessibility

The department is working to bring online learning tools to educate patrons on the research tools available at the department.

Digitization

The continued metadata processes for the release of digital scans of department holdings on Portal to Texas History.

Indexing

Continuous indexing processes of the El Paso Times.

Contact Us At

501 N. Oregon 

El Paso, TX 79901

Phone: (915)212-3218

Email: LibBorder@elpasotexas.gov

View of El Paso from Mount Cristo Rey Photograph