National Register Listing

Popular Department Store

102 N. Mesa St., El Paso, TX
Since its founding in 1902 by Adolph Schwartz and his nephew Maurice, along with I. Weiss, J.C. Zozoya, and Joe Zelman, the Popular Department Store, then known as the Popular Dry Goods Company, has served El Paso as a major retail establishment. Adolph, who served as president of the company until his death in 1941, immigrated to the border area from Hungary in 1887. After serving as a "news Butcher" on the Mexican Central Railway running between Mexico City and Juarez and clerking at a Juarez store, he entered a partnership in a retail store in the latter city in 1893. By 1897 he sold out his share and established The Fair across the river in El Paso with his cousin I. Weiss. Maurice joined his uncle in 1899 as the business expanded. In the early 20th century this business was sold and a new partnership was formed with the opening of the Popular. The elaborate grand opening on the evening of August 22, 1907, featured a live orchestra, refreshments, and prizes.

Throughout its history, the Popular has maintained a reputation for serving its customers' needs as well as the needs of the community. Maurice Schwartz, a civic-minded individual, served in a variety of city management roles, headed fund-raising drives, and worked actively with the Boy Scouts. Following the stock market crash of 1929, the Popular enacted a policy whereby depositors in the defunct First National Bank could assign all or part of their temporary receipts towards cash and credit at the Popular. Since Adolph's death, the company has been headed by several members of the Schwartz and is currently served by Herbert. In recent years the Popular has opened outlets in two different shopping centers and in addition to expanding to meet the consumption needs of El Paso, has continued to play an active role in the civic activities of the city.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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.

architecture
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The world's first rodeo was held in Pecos, Texas in 1883. The event included bronco riding, calf roping, and bull riding.
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.