Old San Francisco Historic District
Missouri St. between No. 325 and 527, El Paso, TXThe concentration of multiple-unit residential structures which comprises the Old San Francisco Historic District reflects the rapid development of El Paso in the first quarter of this century. With the town's population doubling every ten years from 1900 to 1920, the construction of new housing units became of utmost importance. The proximity of this neighborhood to the city's commercial district made it a logical place for high-density housing, with West Missouri St. being labeled as "the apartment house street" by the El Paso Herald as early as 1911. The structures contained within the district represent a number of different apartment-house design treatments, as well as variations in the physical scale and character of these structures.
The Old San Francisco Historic District includes a large part of what was once known as the Stevens Addition to the city of El Paso, which was platted on August 12, 1904. Located just to the northwest of the city's business district, the neighborhood's hilly terrain and its location alongside the route of the El Paso to San Francisco stagecoach route accounts for the name of the district.
Development of the three-block Stevens Addition was underway almost immediately, with the earliest structure in the district dating from 1908. Thirteen of the sixteen buildings in the district were constructed before 1916, with the most recent structure dating from 1923.
The development of El Paso was spurred by the arrival of four major rail lines in the 1880s and by the construction of the Elephant Butte Dam between 1908 and 1916. While the former event made the area more accessible, the latter provided water for irrigation in an otherwise arid region. The population of the city escalated dramatically in the early 20th century. With a population of just over 15,000 in 1900, the city grew to a population of nearly 40,000 by 1910 and nearly 80,000 by 1920. By 1930 it had exceeded 100,000. As early as 1888, El Paso was touted as a healthy place to live. A pamphlet by Martin Yandell entitled "A Winter Health Resort" emphasized the benefits of the climate to sufferers of tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases.
As originally platted, the Stevens Addition was laid out using long, narrow lots, the standard size being 25 by 120 feet, although lots situated at the obtuse corners of West Missouri and Durango did not follow this standard form. While the majority of the building sites in the district consist of more than one lot, the structures at 325 and 327 West Missouri Street are each contained on a single lot.
Development of the district began shortly after the approval by the city of the plat for the Stevens Addition. 1908 saw the construction of the Hotel Westmore at 333 West Missouri, the residence of William Endris at 515 West Missouri, and the Leroy Flats at 526 West Missouri. The largest and most elegant structure in the district, the Palms Apartments at 329 West Missouri, was announced in the El Paso Herald on November 21, 1911. This large U-shaped structure, which contained 39 apartment units, was constructed by the Great Texas Realty Company. The Palms were completed in 1913. The City Directory of that year indicates that the structure was two-thirds occupied in its first year. The scale and the evident success of the Palms must have influenced William M. Loughlin to embark on his 1915-1916 remodeling campaign on the two buildings he owned at 325 and 327 West Missouri. These two structures, which were built in 1909 and 1908, respectively, were enlarged to their present three-story design at a cost of $10,000, according to the Herald of December 13, 1915. 325 West Missouri was known as the Bachelor Hotel, while 327 West Missouri was known as the Hotel Adams.
The City Directories published between 1910 and 1920 provide significant information on the character of the tenants of these various apartment buildings. The occupations held by the residents ranged from a traveling salesman, cigar maker, bookkeeper, and sales clerk to the pastor of the First Christian Church, manager of the Milwaukee Beer Company, and inspector for the U.S. Customs Service.
While the character of the district remained intact through the 1950s, it had begun to suffer from neglect on the part of the landlords. The most devastating blow to the area came in the early 1960s with the construction of Interstate Highway 10. This roadway obliterated the western end of Block A of the Stevens Addition, which contained a structure designed by the noted El Paso architect Henry Trost, and a boarding home built by the El Paso Y.M.C.A. in 1910. To the south of the district stands the El Paso City Hall, whose presence adds to the potential development pressure on the neighborhood. The El Paso City Council has recently recognized the significance of the Old San Francisco Historic District, designating it as a city historic district on December 6, 1983.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
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.
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 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.