El Paso High School
1600 N. Virginia St., El Paso, TXEl Paso High School, the oldest remaining and first separate high school in the city, has been in continuous use since its completion in 1916. This outstanding example of early 20th-century Neo-Classicism, one of the most noteworthy examples in the state, attests to the planning and aesthetic achievements of the architectural firm of Trost and Trost. The un- us usual layout of the campus incorporates the athletic playing field and school building in a monumental design. In addition, the school's auditorium has since become the first Center for the Performing Arts of the El Paso Independent School System.
Established in El Paso in the first decade of the 20th century, the architectural firm of Trost and Trost was headed by Henry C. Trost along with his brother, Gustavos Adolphus, and cousin, George Ernest. Henry, the firm's principal designer, had previously lived and practiced in Chicago and a number of other cities in the south and west. The more than 800 buildings constructed throughout the southwest that is attributed to the firm show a refreshing originality and sophisticated comprehension of the various stylistic movements of the turn of the century. Among Trost's El Paso structures, his own home was listed on 7/12/78 and the Hotel Paso del Norte on 1/18/79, while a thematic nomination that includes 15 early 20th-century commercial structures in the Central Business District was submitted on 3/17/80.
Several schools throughout the country were examined before the El Paso facility was planned. The resulting design, executed in 1914, was an ingenious solution that exhibits rational programming, spatial economics, and magnificent visual presence. Finely proportioned on a grand scale, the elegantly detailed building is one of Texas' finest examples of the Classic Revival movement. J. E. Morgan constructed the concrete frame of the building in 1915 and the American Construction Company of Houston completed the work. The heating and ventilating contract went to Elliott Engineering Company of El Paso and the stadium, with a capacity of 12,000, was constructed by J. F. Woodward, Jr.
Local significance of the building:
Established in El Paso in the first decade of the 20th century, the architectural firm of Trost and Trost was headed by Henry C. Trost along with his brother, Gustavos Adolphus, and cousin, George Ernest. Henry, the firm's principal designer, had previously lived and practiced in Chicago and a number of other cities in the south and west. The more than 800 buildings constructed throughout the southwest that is attributed to the firm show a refreshing originality and sophisticated comprehension of the various stylistic movements of the turn of the century. Among Trost's El Paso structures, his own home was listed on 7/12/78 and the Hotel Paso del Norte on 1/18/79, while a thematic nomination that includes 15 early 20th-century commercial structures in the Central Business District was submitted on 3/17/80.
Several schools throughout the country were examined before the El Paso facility was planned. The resulting design, executed in 1914, was an ingenious solution that exhibits rational programming, spatial economics, and magnificent visual presence. Finely proportioned on a grand scale, the elegantly detailed building is one of Texas' finest examples of the Classic Revival movement. J. E. Morgan constructed the concrete frame of the building in 1915 and the American Construction Company of Houston completed the work. The heating and ventilating contract went to Elliott Engineering Company of El Paso and the stadium, with a capacity of 12,000, was constructed by J. F. Woodward, Jr.
Education; Architecture; Performing Arts
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
About National Register Listings
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.
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This location also has a designation of a Historical Marker.
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Texas is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
About El Paso County
El Paso County Timeline
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.
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 concise overview of the key events in 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.