Ginger Rogers, the legendary actress, came to El Paso on September 25,1942 to sell war bonds. She talked to a crowd of 3000 at the old Liberty Hall as a part a big war bond campaign during WWII. She refused to talk about movies or her career, instead, she wanted to focus on selling as many […]
Month: September 2016
El Paso Mayoral Election of 1963: Part 2
Charles B. Moore emerged as the best candidate who could beat Judson Williams. Moore defeated Mayor Ralph Seitisinger for a second place spot in the runoff against Judson Williams who had a big lead and at one point. It almost looked like he would win without a runoff. Many were surprised about Seitsinger not making […]
El Paso Mayoral Election of 1963: Part 1
In 1963, a record number of El Paso voters showed up to the polls, first in the general election and then in the runoff, to pick their next mayor. The race was between 7 men and one woman. Even though incumbent mayor, Ralph Seitsinger was running for a second term, the race was still considered […]
Emma Webster Fenley
Emma Webster was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania in 1876. She married a Texas Ranger and had two children but the marriage ended in divorce in 1913. Webster worked for the U.S. Customs during the Mexican revolution inspecting women to make sure that none were smuggling weapons across the border into El Paso. In 1913 Webster […]
Helen Keller’s Visit to El Paso
“Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness.”- Helen Keller On March 10,1925, well-known author, political activist and lecturer, Helen Keller came to El Paso. She was the first deaf-blind […]
The Incorporation of Anthony, Texas
In 1952 residents of the Upper Valley community of Anthony, Texas voted to incorporate. That was the start of the town of Anthony. Anthony was also referred to as La Tuna, probably because of the construction of the La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution. One of the motivations for incorporation of Anthony was to have their […]
Ruth Byran Owens: First Woman to Serve as U.S. Ambassador Visits El Paso
Ruth Byran Owens, daughter of reformer and presidential candidate William Jennings Byran who was also known as”The Great Commoner,” came to El Paso on October 17,1935. Owens was famous in her own right. Owens was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from Florida in 1928, and she was among the early women filmmakers […]
Corita Eakins and Marie Tobias: Frist Women to Head the El Paso County Jail.
Maria Tarrant Tobias was born in 1880 in Ripley, TN. She was married to William M. Tobias. Mr. Tobias died and Maria raised two children by herself. She was working at the Western Transfer Co. in 1918 and was living on Rio Grande Street. In 1922 she was working as a bookkeeper for Flemming Motor […]
Presidential Visits to El Paso
For better or for worse, the 2016 presidential election is heating up. Most likely, come November, either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be elected the 45th president of the United States. This year, immigration has been a focal point in the minds of the candidates and voters. Because of El Paso’s proximity to the border and to Mexico, it’s safe to assume whomever is elected will have to deal with this ever changing and vocal community. Surely other presidents have.
Since 1891, U.S. presidents have traveled to the Borderland, some making numerous stops during their presidency. Some have come to the Pass to campaign, while others have engaged in complex, monumental diplomatic discussions and actions with international ramifications. This gallery contains photos from some of those visits. These photos were used in a talk in March 2016 at the El Paso County Historical Society titled “Presidents at the Pass,” presented by the Honorable William Moody of the 34th District Court. Those not credited are available in our archive.
Johanna Riordan O’ Donnell: Faben’s Pioneer
Johanna Riordan was born in Cork County, Ireland, but grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She came to Fabens in 1902 as the young bride of Patrick O’Donnell who worked for the railroads that played a big role in the development of Fabens. Johanna remembered being the only Anglo women in Fabens as well as […]
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