National Register Listing

San Elizario Historic District

a.k.a. San Elceario Presidio;San Elizario Townsite Historic Distric

Roughly bounded by Rio Grande St., Socorro and Convent Rds., and the San Elizario Lateral, San Elizario, TX
The San Elizario Historic District is an intact agricultural and commercial community that evolved over the past 200 years from its origins as a Spanish presidio along a spur of the Camino Real. Its period of significance, c. 1830-1946, begins with the estimated construction date of the earliest Contributing properties and ends with the fifty-year cut-off date for eligibility, which also marks the World War II period when local builders began to rely on prefabricated building materials. Although periodic flooding destroyed most, if not all, of the original presidio complex, the community that grew on the presidio site during the 19th century based its spatial organization, irrigation system, and building practices on the precedents of the presidio and Spanish colonial settlement customs set. In the 1880s, the coming of the railroad and the subsequent bypassing of San Elizario diminished the community's importance in the region while also contributing to the preservation of its physical attributes and historic resources. Although all extant architectural resources post-date the 1829 flood, investigations suggest that archeological evidence of the pre-flood presidio is still present beneath the more recent buildings, warranting the inclusion of these archeological sites as Contributing resources. The district is nominated at the local level of significance for its strong association with the early agricultural and commercial settlement of the Lower Valley, with Spanish and Mexican town planning practices, and with Hispanic ethnic heritage. It is also nominated for its concentrated grouping of Spanish Colonial Revival-influenced residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, and for the archeological data numerous sites have yielded or may yield providing information about the area's early history.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture; Agriculture; Historic - Non-aboriginal; Commerce; Community Planning And Development; Hispanic; Exploration/settlement

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
El Paso County, Texas, has a long and rich history that dates back thousands of years. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by various Native American groups, including the Apache, Comanche, and Jumano tribes. They lived off the land, hunting, farming, and trading. The first recorded European exploration of the region occurred in 1581 when Juan de Oñate claimed the area for Spain.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, El Paso County became an important stopping point along the Camino Real, a trade route connecting Mexico City with Santa Fe. Spanish settlers established the town of San Elizario in 1789 as a waystation for travelers. The settlement grew as more people arrived, including Mexican and American traders, and it became a center for ranching and farming.

In the mid-19th century, El Paso County experienced significant changes brought about by the Mexican-American War and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. With the establishment of the new border between Mexico and the United States, El Paso became a strategic area for trade and military operations. Fort Bliss, one of the oldest Army posts in the Southwest, was established in the area in 1848 to protect American settlers and the new border.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, El Paso County experienced a population boom due to the growth of mining, agriculture, and the railroad industry. The city of El Paso, which was incorporated in 1873, played a pivotal role in these developments. As a border town, it served as a gateway for trade with Mexico and witnessed significant cultural and demographic changes as diverse groups of immigrants arrived seeking economic opportunities.

Today, El Paso County continues to be an important region characterized by a unique blend of cultures, influenced by its rich history and its location on the U.S.-Mexico border. With a population of over 800,000, it is a vibrant center of commerce, education, and tourism, attracting visitors from both sides of the border and beyond.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of El Paso County, Texas.

  • 1682: Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate claims the El Paso area for Spain.
  • 1827: El Paso del Norte is established as a new Mexican border town.
  • 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, transferring the El Paso region from Mexico to the United States.
  • 1850: El Paso becomes part of the newly formed Texas state.
  • 1881: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reaches El Paso, spurring rapid growth and development.
  • 1888: El Paso County is officially organized, with El Paso as the county seat.
  • 1909: The Chamizal dispute is resolved, confirming the Rio Grande as the border between the United States and Mexico.
  • 1916: The Mexican Revolution spills over into El Paso County, resulting in military clashes and tension along the border.
  • 1924: The construction of the iconic Paso del Norte International Bridge is completed, further strengthening El Paso's role as a major border crossing.
  • 1951: The Korean War leads to increased military presence in El Paso County, with the establishment of Fort Bliss.
  • 1963: The El Paso Museum of Art is opened, showcasing a diverse collection of artwork from around the world.
  • 1993: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is implemented, further boosting trade and economic activity in El Paso County.