Donation: ‘Box of junk’ at Corpus Christi yard sale turns up 1903 ‘Key to City’ of El Paso

Twenty seventh convention TCRA key to the city El Paso, 1903.

The El Paso County Historical Society received a donation from Mr. Kelling of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mr. Kelling purchased “a box of junk in Corpus Christi” and found stamped brass “key to the city” inscribed with “Twenty seventh convention TCRA key to the city El Paso 1903.” The TCRA was the Texas Cattle Raisers Association and is now known as Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

He contacted the Historical Society to donate the key and have it preserved.

Mr. Kelling was stationed at William Beaumont General Hospital from 1962 to 1965 and says he has found memories of El Paso and Juarez.

If you would like to see this item you can visit Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. or by appointment. We are located in the Burges House at 603 W. Yandell, 79902. For more information call 915-533-6303.

Since 1954 the El Paso County Historical Society has been a driving force in the historic scene of El Paso. EPCHS strives to foster research into the history of the El Paso area; acquire and make available to the public historic materials; publish and encourage historical writing pertaining to the area; and to develop public consciousness of our rich heritage.