El Conquistador

      "Evidently El Paso is not ready for a base ball club. We have, however, everything else horrible and dreadful." said the Lone Star on May 21, 1884. Evidently, S. H. Newman, editor of the newspaper, did not care for the national pastime. If El Paso was not quite ready then, baseball fever was just around the corner. We’ll be featuring the baseball "cranks", and especially our first successful baseball manager, Charles F. "Give-a-Damn" Jones who was a carpenter, baseball manager, and political activist (ankle biter) at the EPCHS May 23 quarterly meeting. History buffs and baseball "cranks" alert. Game called at 2:00 p.m. sharp.

      Local historian Richard Bussell will discuss the development of baseball in El Paso at the quarterly meeting at 2:00 P.m. on May 23 at the Burges House. Join us for what promises to be an interesting and enlightening session.

Dear Society Member,

      This is the beginning of a new decade, a new year and the second year of my administration. I want to thank you for the continuous support you give to the Society.

      I begin this newsletter with a tribute to the memory of a member who was a 2009 Hall of Honor Honoree , George Alexander McAlmon, Jr, March 22, 1926 - March 23, 2010. What a special individual he was to our community. People mattered to George, no matter who they were, whatever their background or circumstances. He dedicated his career to make El Paso a better place. Former County Judge Alicia Chacon stated in her nomination of George to the Hall of Honor, that he shunned the spotlight and refused most accolades, awards and certificates. However, his record clearly demonstrated his outstanding integrity, vision of a more decent society, and courage to speak against injustice. He leaves behind a legacy and an example of a life well lived, family and friends he loved. Farewell George, you will be remembered for your contributions to the people and the city of El Paso.

      It's the time of the year for Hall of Honor Nominations. They are being accepted from the general public as well as Society Members for 2010. If you have any questions pertaining to the nominations, please call the office at (915) 533-3603 for additional information. The Hall of Honor Banquet is November 7, 2010 at the El Paso Country Club.

      The next quarterly meeting of the Society is May 23, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at the Burges House. The program will be interesting and entertaining, presented by Richard Bussell.

      Again, a special thank you to all of our volunteers and members for the super job you do for the Society.


            Lillian Crouch

Hall of Honor Nominations Requested

      It’s that time of year again. Nominations for the 2010 EPCHS Hall of Honor are due by July 1, 2010. No special form is needed to nominate a person. Just tell us what makes this person worthy of the honor and include the information detailed in the last paragraph of this article. Chairman of the selection committee is Stephen Meador; members of the selection committee are not named in accordance with the bylaws.

      The Hall of Honor dinner is set for Sunday, November 7 at the El Paso Country Club. Make plans to attend. Last year’s honorees were Hibbard Polk, Mary Betty Goetting and George McAlmon.
     The El Paso County Historical Society is now accepting nominations from the general public as well as from Society members for the 2010 Hall of Honor. One living and two deceased persons will be honored at the Society’s banquet to be held on Sunday, November 7. Nominees must be (1) outstanding men or women of character, vision, courage and creative spirit who have lived in what is presently El Paso County, and (2) who have consistently done the unusual which deserves to be written or recorded, or who have made El Paso County better for their having lived in it; and (3) who have influenced over a period of years the course of history of El Paso County, or by their singular achievements have brought honor and recognition to the El Paso community, and (4) who have directed us toward worthy goals and merit being remembered by all El Pasoans as an exemplary guide to our future.

     Nominations must be accompanied by a biographical resume that includes pertinent information about the nominee and the reasons for naming him or her. Please include the nominee’s address and phone number, if living, or date of death, if deceased, birthplace, years of residence in El Paso County, profession and name and address of nearest known relative. The person making the nomination must give his or her name, address and phone number and mail all information to Chairman, Hall of Honor Selection Committee, El Paso County Historical Society, P. O. Box 28, El Paso, Texas 79940.

     If you have any questions, please call the Society at (915) at 533-3603.

Texas State Historical Association to Gather in El Paso

      The Texas State Historical Association will hold its annual meeting in El Paso on March 4 –6, 2011. This annual meeting presents an opportunity for the El Paso area to highlight its unique history and character. Mark your calendars and make plans to register and attend the conference. We will publish details as they become available.

      We anticipate participating in the conference by providing volunteers and welcoming these historians to El Paso. This year’s convention was held in Dallas and several EPCHS board members attended. Forty-one sessions on Texas history were scheduled including some on El Paso. The 2011 Convention should be equally informative.

Annual Tea Party Held

      WEPCHS hosted its sixth annual Dolly Dingle’s Tea Party on Sunday, May 16 at the Burges House. Over a hundred guests sipped tea while they were entertained by various local artists. Richard Burges (Bernie Sargent) greeted guests while the Six Guns and Shady Ladies provided local color. The Harvey Girls and friends poured tea and served delicious savories and sweets. Photographer Toni Marie photographed the guests so that each guest went home with a souvenir photo of the event.
      We appreciate the local businesses and volunteers that support us every year. The tea party and the appraisal fair are the two fund raisers sponsored by the Society each year.

Sunset Heights Neighborhood Association Plans Tour of Homes

      Did you see the article in the El Paso Times about the work that the Sunset Heights Neighborhood Association is doing to help preserve the historical aspects of the neighborhood? The Burges House is located in Sunset Heights and we participate annually in the Association’s Tour of Homes which generates funds to enable them to continue this effort to preserve El Paso history. This is one of the many projects for which we need volunteers during the year.

      The Association is planning another fund raiser in the near future. Keep an eye out for details.

Out and About With the Historical Society
Pictures of Events in 2010