History Of El Paso



	Home Conquistador Current Events Jane Burges Perrenot Research Center History of El Paso History of Juarez Password Search Password Search Archives Join Now Contact Us		HISTORY OF CIUDAD JUÁREZ Numerous Indian tribes inhabited and roamed the Southwest especially in the areas watered by the Rio Grande. The fertile valley provided support for tribes and travelers. In the 16th century the Spanish expeditions into the Southwest began. Spanish missionaries and soldiers established missions as far north as Santa Fe, New Mexico. They were determined to convert the native Indian population to Christianity. Missions established along the El Paso area of the Rio Grande included Senecú del Sur, Ysleta, Socorro and San Elizario. Juan de Oñate founded El Paso del Rio del Norte in 1598. The mission of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was founded in 1659. Around 2000 Spaniards and Indians fled to the Southwest mission area after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. A thriving agricultural community developed. In the early 1800s Anglo-American excursions into the Southwest began. In 1821 Mexico obtained its independence from Spain. El Paso del Norte continued to flourish now under Mexican rule. It was part of the state of Chihuahua. Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836. The Rio Grande became an international boundary although it was not recognized as such in an area where no such thing had been known before. The Mexican War of 1846 confirmed the Rio Grande as the international boundary through the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. During the war American forces defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of Brazito. The state of Chihuahua established a free trade zone in 1858. It lasted for a number of years. Mexico overthrew the French government in 1867. The Mexican revolutionaries were under the direction of Benito Juárez. Juárez found refuge in the border area during the course of the revolution. In 1888 El Paso del Norte changed its name to Ciudad Juárez in honor of Benito Juárez, hero of the revolution against France. The Mexican-Revolution of 1910-1920 greatly affected the border towns of Juárez and El Paso. Many Mexican residents fled to the north in order to avoid the fighting. Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico in 1916 resulting in John J. Pershing's Expedition into Mexico to catch Villa. In 1950 the manufacturing industry began with the building of the PRONAF. The North American Free Trade Treaty was signed in 1992 and went into effect in 1994. A strong international trade arrangement resulted. For further information please read the following: Prof. Armando B. Chávez M., 1991. Historia de Ciudad Juárez Chihuahua. Mexico, D.F.: Editorial Pax Mexico. Oscar J. Martinez, 1978. Border Boom Town, Ciudad Juárez Since 1848. Austin: University of Texas Press. Ralph Roeder, 1947. Juarez and His Mexico. 2 vols. New York: The Viking Press. Dr. C. L. Sonnichsen, 1968 & 1980. Pass of the North. 2 vols. El Paso: Texas Western Press. Dr. W. H. Timmons, ed., 1980. Four Centuries at the Pass. El Paso: 4 centuries 81 Foundation.