Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 46
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4'
Texas' oldest mission, Corpus Christi De La Isleta in El Paso,
dates from 1681
built in 1875 as replica of earlier home destroyed in 1868 flood. Was political
and social center of Magoffinsville community (later named El Paso). Walls
average 2 1/2 feet thick; timber cut in Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico,
80 miles from El Paso. Traditional enclosed patio; much original furniture.
Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. 1120 Magoffin St. Admission.
Old Missions-El Paso's Lower Valley is site of several graceful old Spanish
missions that are older than the better-known missions of California. Open
daily, daylight hours, tour mapped by El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau
includes the following:
Nuestra Senora del Carmen, established in 1681, and later dedicated
Corpus Christi de la Isleta, 1690; damaged by both floods and fires, but
restored and maintained in original style and now familiarly called Ysleta
Mission. Oldest mission in Texas, established for Tigua Indians (see below).
When founded, the mission pueblo was south of the Rio Grande, but has
been left on the Texas side by changes in the river channel. Some mission
land has been in constant cultivation since 1682, over 300 years! 100 block of
Old Pueblo Rd. (Zaragosa exit from 1-10 east).
Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion del Socorro established in 1682 as
mission for Piros, Thanos, and Jemes Indians. Originally located about 12
leagues from Guadalupe Mission at Paso del Norte and about 7.5 leagues
from Ysleta. However, when a group of Indians threatened to revolt, mission
moved to new location about one league from Isleta Mission. Early 19th
Century flood changed course of Rio Grande and left village and mission
on Texas side. Present village of Socorro adjacent to southeast El Paso,
F.M. 258 south.
Village of San Elizario served as El Paso County seat for years and was
location of a presidio (fort) of the same name. San Elizario Presidio
Chapel was founded 1777 to serve Spanish military garrison and govern-
ment. Still in daily use, chapel stands as built 200 years ago, preserving a
type of architecture that supplanted more austere styles of Ysleta and
Socorro missions. F.M. 258 south.
Mission Tour-Hop aboard the "Trolley on a Mission" for mission tours.
Visit Mission Ysleta, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Socorro, and San Elizario.
4 1/2-hour tour includes lunch at Tigua Indian Reservation or Old AdobeHorseshoe, as well as shopping. Tour Thurs. during summer at 10:30 a.m.
For information/reservations, 915/544-0062. Departs from Civic Center, 1
Civic Plaza. Fare.
Parks-Many parks, plus Franklin Mts. State Park, are popular picnic areas.
During year, a variety of stage productions is presented in an amphitheater
in McKelligon Canyon Park.
Scenic Drives-Scenic Drive traces a winding course on southern flank of
Mount Franklin above downtown El Paso, with view of Juarez across the
river. Reached from Richmond St. on the east, from Rim Rd. on the west.
El Paso is "V" shaped, divided by imposing steeps of Franklin
Mountains. Connecting top ends of "V" is Loop 375 (Transmountain Road)
that climbs through mile-high Smugglers Gap with impressive views of
rugged mountain-desert scenery. Accessible from 1-10 northwest of city
and from U.S. 54 northeast.
Sierra de Cristo Rey-The Mountain of Christ the King looms above
El Paso at point where territories of Texas, Mexico, and New Mexico meet.
Prominent on the 4,576-foot summit is a massive monument of Christ on the
Cross by artist Urbici Soler, built of Cordova cream limestone quarried near
Austin. Not recommended to climb except during Pilgrimage last Sun. in Oct.
Tigua Indian Reservation: Ysleta del Sur Pueblo--Oldest community
in present boundaries of Texas, now part of the city of El Paso, was estab-
lished in 1681 by refugees from a bloody Indian uprising that expelled
Spanish and Christian Indians from present New Mexico. Spanish missionar-
ies and loyal Tigua Indians settled here at El Paso del Norte and built Isleta
Mission (see previous "Old Missions" entry). The mission church is still the
religious focal point of the Tigua Indian community. Today the Tiguas offer a
fascinating visitor program and arts and crafts center in their extensive adobe
complex, which has been reconstructed in traditional pueblo style. Museum
and restaurant open daily except Mon., Tues. in winter. Among a variety of
foods, the restaurant features several Tigua specialties including gorditas (a
kind of Indian taco with spicy filling), pungent Tigua Indian chili (both red
and green varieties), and delicious, fresh Indian bread. Features include the
pueblo, work areas where beautiful pottery is made, the adobe-oven bakery,
an old stagecoach stop, and Indian dance performances. Open daily.
119 S. Old Pueblo Rd.
Speaking Rock Bingo Entertainment Center-Handsome bingo facility
El Paso's Tigua Indian Reservation offers excellent visitor program with
authentic Indian dances, arts and crafts
-I-
operated by the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Sessions daily, except Mon. Visitors
must be 21 yrs. old to enter bingo hall. Three levels of play; jackpots vary.
State-of-the-art equipment with electronic display boards. Next to Isleta
Mission on Tigua Indian Reservation. 122 Old Pueblo Rd. (Exit Zaragosa Rd.
from 1-10 east, turn right to Alameda, turn left. One block and turn right.) For
information, 915/860-7777.
Travel Information Center-I-10 west. See ANTHONY.
Viva El Paso!-Outdoor drama that captures the culture and heritage of the
Southwest. Spectacular Franklin Mountains serve as a backdrop at open-air
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater. Traces El Paso's history through four eras:
Indian, Spanish, Mexican, and Western. Thurs. - Sat. performances Jul. - Aug.Mart
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/48/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.