Trinidad Concha
Trinidad Concha (1862-1933), the “singing cobbler,” impacted popular music culture by creating and cultivating various bands in the El Paso area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Concha, whose music has been described as a synthesis of traditional Mexican folk and contemporary orchestra, served as the assistant director of Mexican President Porfirio Diaz’s Touring Military Band in 1893 and 1894. He deserted the Mexican Military while performing in the United States. Unwilling to risk prosecution in Mexico after his desertion, Concha settled in El Paso and accepted an invitation to join the McGinty Band. In 1897, he formed Concha’s Mexican Concert Band. By 1907, the band was comprised of forty members, including a dozen former members of Diaz’s Military Band. Concha’s music was favored by a diverse audience. His band performed regularly at El Paso’s Cleveland Square and at various building dedications, weddings, funerals, balls, and parties. His repertoire consisted of Mexicanized European operas, polkas, and waltzes, which were popular with music loving El Pasoans.
Concha, who supplemented his income working in shoe stores, was also a leader in the musical development of the community. St. Ignatius Church of El Paso hired him in 1905 to assemble a young women’s orchestra that, by 1908, began performing public concerts. Notably, Concha composed two original pieces and performed during the historic meeting of U.S. President William Howard Taft and Mexican President Porfirio Diaz at the El Paso-Juarez border on October 16, 1909. Concha’s most celebrated performance took place on April 27, 1911, when he entered Mexico for the first time in fifteen years to serenade several hundred Maderista Revolutionaries. Concha continued to influence the music of the southwest until his death.
175 YEARS OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE * 1836-2011
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.
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.
El Paso County Timeline
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.