Historical Marker

Fort Bliss Enemy Alien Detention Site, WWII

Historical marker location:
El Paso, Texas
( On the grounds Paso Del Norte housing area - Fort Bliss (formerly Logan Heights))
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

FORT BLISS ENEMY ALIEN DETENTION STATION, WORLD WAR II

ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE UNITED STATES ENTERED WORLD WAR II. ONE U.S. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE BEGAN IN EARLY 1942 WITH THE INCARCERATION OF MORE THAN 120,000 ISSEI (FIRST GENERATION, JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS) AND NISEI (SECOND GENERATION, U.S. CITIZENS) IN WAR RELOCATION AUTHORITY CAMPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THROUGH SEPARATE CONFINEMENT PROGRAMS, THOUSANDS OF JAPANESE, GERMAN, AND ITALIAN CITIZENS IN THE U.S. (AND IN MANY CASES, THEIR U.S. CITIZEN RELATIVES), CLASSIFIED AS ENEMY ALIENS, WERE DETAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) THROUGH ITS ENEMY ALIEN CONTROL UNIT AND, IN LATIN AMERICA, BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S SPECIAL WAR PROBLEMS DIVISION. ENEMY ALIENS WERE HELD UNTIL PAROLED OR EXCHANGED FOR U.S. AND ALLIED CITIZENS SEIZED OVERSEAS BY AXIS NATIONS.

TEXAS HOSTED THREE DOJ CONFINEMENT SITES ADMINISTERED BY THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE (INS) AT CRYSTAL CITY, KENEDY, AND SEAGOVILLE. TEMPORARY ARMY STATIONS, LIKE THE ONE HERE AT FORT BLISS, WERE SET UP AT MILITARY POSTS IN AREAS WHERE THE NUMBER OF ENEMY ALIEN APPREHENSIONS WAS TOO FEW FOR THE INS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A FACILITY.

THIS SITE OPENED IN FEBRUARY 1942. THE SQUARE SHAPED CONFINEMENT SITE MEASURED 365 FEET PER SIDE AND ENCLOSED TWO COMPOUNDS WITH A DOUBLE BARBED WIRE FENCE. ARMED GUARDS MANNED ELEVATED TOWERS AT THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE STOCKADE. THE DETENTION STATION HELD LESS THAN 150, PRIMARILY MALE, DETAINEES, WHILE IN USE. HOWEVER, SEVERAL JAPANESE AMERICAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM NEW MEXICO, LEFT DESTITUTE BY THE FATHERS’ ARRESTS AS ENEMY ALIENS, WERE REUNITED AND HELD HERE WITH THEM BEFORE BEING MOVED TO INS CAMPS. THE SITE CLOSED IN NOVEMBER 1942.

TEXAS IN WORLD WAR II – 2013

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

military topics World War II
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.