Toltec Club
a.k.a. Toltec Building
602 Magoffin Ave., El Paso, TXThe five-story brick and sandstone Toltec Building is a landmark in downtown El Paso with its flamboyant use of eclectic architectural motifs in keeping with the spirit of the burgeoning young city. The Toltec Club opened on October 14, 1910. The club, chartered as a social club in 1902 by the leading citizens of El Paso, was designed and built by the Denver, firm of J. J. Huddart at a cost of $100,000. The club was not only the social center for local residents, but a headquarters for entertaining visiting dignitaries, such as U.S. Senatorial committees, Presidents Porfirio Diaz and Francisco Madero of Mexico, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Gen. John J. Pershing, who was honored at a dinner there on his return from pursuing Pancho Villa in Mexico in 1916.
Early members and founders of the club included Britton Davis, an Indian fighter reputed to be the first white man to cross the Sierra Madre from east to west; A. P. Coles, pioneer realtor; W. W. Turney, prominent attorney, banker, cattleman, and state senator; Henry S. Beach, prominent businessman, and importer; Zach T. White, early gas, electricity, and street car magnate; El Paso Times owners Harwood J. Simmons and Frank Powers; and Charles B. and J. Arthur Eddy, who built the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad. Henry. Trost, the architect well-known for his Prairie Style buildings in El Paso and the Southwest, was also an early member, along with at least two of his clients.
George Hitt, a contractor and city alderman, and Ed Pennebaker, realtor and builder, first constructed a three-story red brick building on Texas St. in 1902 for the Toltec Club, with a restaurant on the ground floor and living quarters for bachelor members and club rooms on the upper floors. The subsequent five-story 1910 building also had a restaurant on the ground floor and living quarters and club rooms above. The pink and gold ballroom was the scene of frequent formal gatherings. Businessmen gathered daily in the club rooms at 5 PM where business was conducted as often as socializing. Activities included baseball games, "smokers", dinners, and balls. The club held meetings until 1938.
The present owner, a local realtor, is working closely with city officials in the hope of selling the Toltec to someone who will restore it as a pilot project for future restoration efforts in downtown El Paso.
Local significance of the building:
Early members and founders of the club included Britton Davis, an Indian fighter reputed to be the first white man to cross the Sierra Madre from east to west; A. P. Coles, pioneer realtor; W. W. Turney, prominent attorney, banker, cattleman, and state senator; Henry S. Beach, prominent businessman, and importer; Zach T. White, early gas, electricity, and street car magnate; El Paso Times owners Harwood J. Simmons and Frank Powers; and Charles B. and J. Arthur Eddy, who built the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad. Henry. Trost, the architect well-known for his Prairie Style buildings in El Paso and the Southwest, was also an early member, along with at least two of his clients.
George Hitt, a contractor and city alderman, and Ed Pennebaker, realtor and builder, first constructed a three-story red brick building on Texas St. in 1902 for the Toltec Club, with a restaurant on the ground floor and living quarters for bachelor members and club rooms on the upper floors. The subsequent five-story 1910 building also had a restaurant on the ground floor and living quarters and club rooms above. The pink and gold ballroom was the scene of frequent formal gatherings. Businessmen gathered daily in the club rooms at 5 PM where business was conducted as often as socializing. Activities included baseball games, "smokers", dinners, and balls. The club held meetings until 1938.
The present owner, a local realtor, is working closely with city officials in the hope of selling the Toltec to someone who will restore it as a pilot project for future restoration efforts in downtown El Paso.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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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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 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.
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