Celebrate Hispanic History and Heritage!
Hey guys! So Hispanic Heritage month is going to be over in about a week (October 15th to be exact) and although many places aren’t doing anything to celebrate, you can still get your Hispanic heritage on because I’ve compiled a list of things you can do and places you can go that commemorate Hispanic culture, heritage and history here in the El Paso area! Now all of these places are always here, so you can go before Hispanic heritage month ends or you can go at any time after that.
So first up: Casa Ortiz.
Located on the Mission Trail in Socorro, Casa Ortiz exemplifies the architecture of the time; structured with locally available materials and built on the Spanish Colonial frontier. In the 1840s, the house belonged to José Ortiz, a trader who carted salt from the salt flat at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, and traded knives, sarapes, and other goods with Native Americans. It now houses The Bookery, the only independent bookstore here in the El Paso area. So be sure to check that out and support local business! You can learn more here and here.
Located at 10167 Socorro Rd. El Paso, Texas 79927
Phone: 915-859-6132
Hours Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Next: Centennial Museum/Chihuahuan Desert Gardens at The University Of Texas At El Paso
This Museum was established in 1936 and the Gardens were dedicated later in 1999. It offers both temporary and permanent exhibits that you can check out! In the Museum’s permanent exhibits they focus on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert region and their stored collections are actually available for scholarly research. Within the temporary galleries, the Museum presents a wide range of exhibits on themes related to border life and culture, the Americas, and UTEP activities. Most recently they have their “Icons and Symbols of the Borderland” exhibit featuring the JUNTOS Art Association, featured from October 10, 2015 to January 16, 2016. So be sure to check that out before it ends! You can learn more here and here.
Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed on University Holidays and UTEP home football game days Free
Phone: 915-747-5000
Chamizal National Memorial
The Chamizal National Memorial commemorates peaceful diplomatic success between the United States and Mexico, and offers exhibits and bicultural art shows and performances to celebrate Mexican and American cooperation. They have many upcoming performances to see! You can learn more here and here.
Located at 800 South San Marcial Street El Paso, Texas 79905
Phone: 915-532-7273
Park grounds open daily 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Visitor Center/Galleries: Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. Special events may be ticketed.
El Paso Museum of History
The El Paso Museum of History is host to more than 16,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space featuring five galleries representing 400 years of U.S./Mexico border history! Right now the exhibits being offered are “Neighborhoods and Shared Memories” which features photographs, mementos, and keepsakes from past and present residents of El Paso neighborhoods that are displayed to help preserve, interpret, and increase appreciation for the city’s neighborhood-based history. As well as their 3-D Digital Wall, an interactive exhibit of technology and archived photographs, videos, and documentation, that allows visitors to explore El Paso history through a giant touch screen. You can learn more here and here.
510 Santa Fe Street El Paso, Texas 79901
Phone: 915-351-3588
Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday 12 - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays and all holidays Free.
El Segundo Barrio
This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in El Paso County, and has historically served as the entry community for Mexican immigrants to the U.S. Teeming with rich Tejano history; this district is full of neighborhood pride and services to improve the lives of immigrants and Mexican Americans. The lively border culture inspires muralists, writers, and film producers, and draws in people from around the city to their favorite bakeries and street food vendors.
Here you can check out the El Paso Murals which are located in this general area, you can actually download a map of where to find the murals and the history behind them as well as learn more right here.
Roughly bounded by Canam Highway, Cesar E. Chavez Border Hwy., South Cotton St., and South Kansas St. El Paso, Texas 79901
Franklin Mountain State Park and Wyler Aerial Tramway
At 24,247 acres, Franklin Mountains State Park may be the largest urban park in the country, covering over thirty seven square miles of wild, undeveloped nature. Here you can hike, camp, and discover local wildlife, plants, and history. Ranger led tours are also available, learn more here.
1331 McKelligon Canyon Rd El Paso, Texas 79930
Phone: 915-566-6441
Open 7 days a week year-round. Gate is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. From the first Saturday in April to the third Saturday in September, the Tom Mays Unit gate is open on weekends only 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Adults: $5, Children under 12 Free.
Keystone Heritage Park
This 52-acre site encompasses the wetlands, a biological preserve, and the archaic archaeology site, one of the oldest dated archaeology sites in Western United States, where investigation has revealed the presence of the remains of thatched huts, post holes, and fire pits. Preferring preservation over excavation, the Keystone Heritage Park offers an interpretive experience, providing walking paths for views of the wetlands where a substantial number of bird species can be sighted, as well as a guided tour of the archeological site. In addition, the park hosts the El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens, an artful landscape of native plants and architecture encompassing a healing garden composed of species with medicinal attributes, a culinary garden, cactus and succulent garden, and a butterfly garden. You can learn more here and here.
4220 Doniphan Dr. El Paso, Texas 79922
Phone: 915-584-0563
El Paso Desert Botanical Garden Hours Saturday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hours vary for other Park activities. Contact park for more information. Adult: $2 Child: $1
La Mujer Obrera/ Café Mayapan
In the 1970s, one of the most significant labor movements for Mexican American women took place in El Paso: the famous Farah Strike. Since the 1920s, El Paso’s garment district employed thousands of female workers, many of them Mexican immigrants, who labored as seamstresses but had no voice in the workplace. In 1972, about 4,000 Farah Manufacturing garment workers—mostly Hispanic women—refused to work until given the right to be represented by a union. This social and cultural shift led to the 1981 founding of La Mujer Obrera, a community center for Hispanic women. Immigrant women can find a support community here, and can take advantage of educational programs, vocational training, and cultural events. There is also an onsite marketplace known as Mercado Mayapan which helps Mexican American women become entrepreneurs by selling their handmade goods, crafts, and dishes. So take a look at that you can check out the booths, visit the tortilleria, panaderia, or food court, interact with the female merchants, and learn earn more about the area's textile industry and the Tejana movement through photographs, newspaper clippings, and historical exhibits. You can learn more here and here.
2000 Texas Ave. El Paso, Texas 79901
Phone: 915-217-1135
Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunset Heights Neighborhood
Established before the turn of the 20th century, Sunset Heights became popular amongst wealthy refugees fleeing the 10-year long Mexican Revolution. The El Paso County Historical Society hosts an annual fall tour of neighborhood homes and landmarks. You can learn more here.
Roughly bounded by West Schuster Ave., North Oregon St., and I-10 El Paso, Texas 79902
Ysleta Mission
The Spanish Colonial mission, known formally as La Misión de Corpus Christi de la Ysleta del Sur, has been serving the region’s Catholics since its establishment in 1680. You can learn more right here.
131 South Zaragosa Road El Paso, Texas 79907
Phone: 915-859-9848
Daily. This is an active parish, please be respectful of services. Free.
So that’s it! Be sure to support the Hispanic community and check these places out! If you would also like to learn more about places in Texas that offer more on Hispanic culture be sure to check out this website right here.
