Conquistador

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Honoring Leon Claire Metz 1930-2020

The El Paso County Historical Society would like to express our condolences to the family, friends, and many fans of Leon Claire Metz who passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020. Leon was a past-president of the Society and well-loved and respected, not only by the Society but in the community that he chose to make […]

El Paso History Day 2020

On February 22nd, 313 students from the El Paso region took part in El Paso History Day at UTEP.  Over 40 of those students were selected as regional finalists and will go on to represent their schools at Texas History Day in Austin at the end of April.  Winners at the state level will move […]

El Paso County Historical Society to Celebrate Women’s History Month

The El Paso County Historical Society (EPCHS) will host several events throughout March to celebrate Women’s History Month. Through talks and an exhibit, EPCHS intends to highlight the lives of prominent local women who contributed to this region’s rich and diverse history. On March 7, 2020 at 12 p.m., EPCHS welcomes the public to the grand opening of “Women […]

57th Annual Hall of Honor Recipients

The El Paso County Historical Society is pleased to announce its selections for the 57th Hall of Honor. This year’s honorees are: Alex and Patti Apostolides, Former Mayor Don Henderson, James Peak, and Former Mayor Bert Williams. The event will be held Sunday, November 5, 2017, at the El Paso Country Club, 5000 Country Club Pl, El […]

Vilas School, circa 1909.

Welcome Back!: A Few Images of El Paso Schools Over the Years

El Paso’s school history is rich and varied, dating back to a time before El Paso was a booming town. Prior to incorporation of the city, and even after, schoolhouses were few and far between, much of the instruction occurring in homes or makeshift buildings. Even after the arrival of the railroads in 1881 necessitated the creation of permanent schools with full-time instructors, El Paso spent years founding a school district. Soon, however, the El Paso Independent School District was established and schools flourished throughout the city and its outskirts. Throughout the years, students have been educated in iconic buildings and facilities–from Douglass to Aoy to El Paso and Ysleta High Schools, and by motivational and inspiring teachers. Our educational system is the consequent of years of hard work, progress, development, and post Civil-War and even Mexican and Spanish history.

This week, thousands of El Pasoans headed back to school to continue the region’s school history and embark on a months long journey of classroom instruction and growth. Take a look at some of the photos we have at the Burges House of schools in this area; many of the facilities are still used today.