La Tapatia started as a tortilla factory in the 1950s, at least as early as 1953. In 1958, it moved from 9075 Alameda to 9030 Alameda which is now a tuxedo rental place. It was sold by the original family to the Gus and Ted Rallis, and Mayor Ray Salazar in 1970. They sold it […]
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Iconic “castle house” defined by family, atmosphere
The home at 1201 Cincinnati Ave., known as the “stone castle,” has stood at the location for more than 100 years, providing a spacious and unique home to many families over the decades. Following is a description of the home by Harriot Howze Jones, writing in the El Paso County Historical Society newsletter, Password: “The […]
A Tribute to Frank W. Gorman, Jr.
It is with extreme sadness that the El Paso County Historical Society notes the death of Mr. Frank Gorman, Jr., former president of the organization, co-sponsor of the Gorman Award at El Paso History Day, and friend of the Society. Below is his obituary as it appears on the Martin Funeral Home site. Our hearts […]
El Paso Women and Equestrian Sports Part One : 1914 to 1930s
El Paso Women and Equestrian Sports Part One : 1914 to 1930s El Paso women horse riders proved they could be just good as men when completing in equestrian sports. The El Paso Horse and Driving Club was founded in 1944, with Mrs. Joseph Carter as was one of the organizers. They […]
Mystery solved: Lolita around the corner
Walking down Texas Avenue recently, I noticed a weathered, sun-beaten sign atop a building at the corner of Texas and Oregon Street. “AROUND CORNER: Lolita,” it read. I walked around said corner but found no teenage nymphette from that book by Nabokov, nor any evidence that she had been there. (The 1997 film remake did […]
Dr. Vilas had big impact in El Paso
Walter Nathaniel Vilas brought big ideas, big names and big events to his adopted home of El Paso in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dr. Vilas was born on Sept. 11, 1847, in Red Creek, Wayne County, N.Y. He was one of seven children of Dr. Calvin Vilas and Mary Catherine Ford. The […]
Ysleta Woman’s Club
Photo Credit: Ysleta Woman’s Club Collection, UTEP Special Collections The Ysleta Woman’s Club was organized in March 1921 at “Sunnyfields” on Alameda, the home of Mrs. J. Stoney Porcher, which later became Cesar Chavez Academy. The club’s first president was Mrs. W.B. Abadie. Other officers included Anne Whitney, vice president Elinor Porcher, treasurer Gertrude Cadwallader, […]
El Paso Herald-Post “Women of the Year” 1965
In 1965, El Paso Herald-Post awarded its first “Women of the Year” to women in each of seven fields. The awards were announced in the newspaper’s March 20, 1965, edition. Business: Dess Metcalfe was a member of the first group of the Women’s Army Corps who were deployed overseas. She also served as assistant chief […]
Women’s Suffrage in El Paso
On Jan 12, 1915, the El Paso chapter of the National Franchise League organized at hotel Orndorff. The first president was Azina Orndorff DeGroff, who operated the Orndorff Hotel. Charter members of the group were Olga Kohlberg, who founded the first free kindergarten in Texas and served as president of the El Paso Library Association; Blanche Averill who […]
Holiday Hours
We will be closed December 26 and open the rest of the week by appointment only. Please email us at info@elpasohistory.com to schedule one. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! We will reopen January 3, 2017 at 10am.