Lost In El Paso

St. Margaret Orphanage in El Paso, Tx. throughout the years. Mother Teresa pays a visit in the year 1976.

1983 Kiss CD Live at El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, TX,
USA March 23rd 1983✨

The El Paso U.S. Courthouse, also referred to as the El Paso Federal Building or the U.S. Court House, is a significant and historic structure situated in El Paso, Texas. Serving as a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, the building was constructed in 1936. Throughout its history, it has functioned as both a courthouse and a government office building. The El Paso U.S. Courthouse is positioned at 511 East San Antonio Avenue and has been recognized as a site of historical importance, earning its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

In December 1941, El Paso was prepared and on high alert following the outbreak of war with Japan. Military, government, and civic organizations were mobilized to handle any potential situations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was ready for action, but no orders had been received to arrest Japanese suspects. Despite the emergency, the annual Sun Carnival celebration and parade were scheduled to proceed as planned. Military leaves were canceled in some areas, but not at Fort Bliss, the largest Cavalry post in the nation. The U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration Service were on high alert, tightening defenses to prevent unauthorized departures. Government officials prepared to enforce orders to close the borders to Japanese nationals and ban financial transactions by Japanese aliens. Air Corps leaves were being canceled nationwide. The El Paso Civilian Defense Council and volunteer fire companies swung into action, while the El Paso Electric Company increased its guard force. The American Red Cross called for intensified training of its workers and volunteers. Airlines were instructed not to board Japanese nationals. Railroad organizations prepared a voluntary force of employees to serve anywhere in Texas. The Third Company of the New Mexico State Guard was ordered to duty. Private pilots awaited orders regarding the grounding of private airplanes. The International Boundary Commission and other agencies were prepared for any emergencies. Precautionary measures were taken at power plants, and air raid warning posts were organized to guard against air attacks. El Paso awaited orders to increase its draft quota. Governor Coke R. Stevenson called for unity in the face of Japan’s attack. El Paso remained on high alert, ready to face the challenges of war.

#1941

El Segundo Barrio, El Paso, 1972.

These Buildings are no longer standing.

Movie poster for Lewis R. Foster’s 1949 film, ‘El Paso,’ an American Western starring John Payne, Gail Russell, and Sterling Hayden.

The Double-A El Paso Diablos scored more than 900 runs during the 1983 Texas League season. (courtesy Texas League)

September 25, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos are seen preparing to reveal a chrome monument that marks the new border between Mexico and the United States. The ceremony took place near Bowie High School. After the unveiling, the presidents were presented with two framed artistic renderings that symbolize the resolution of the Chamizal dispute.

William Ralph Weaver, the visionary founder of the W.R.
Weaver Co., has left an indelible mark on the firearm
industry. From its humble beginnings in 1934, the
company has grown to become a leading player in the
field, capturing the attention of hunters and target
shooters worldwide.

Born and raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Bill Weaver
gained valuable experience working at his father’s
factory, manufacturing road signs and auto license
plates. It was his own passion for hunting that sparked
the idea of creating a telescopic gun sight for personal
use. The positive feedback he received from fellow
hunters encouraged him to venture into the production
of hunting scopes for sale.

In 1934, He relocated his operations to El Paso, Texas,
seeking a more favorable climate for his growing
business. The company gradually expanded, moving to
larger premises as production demands increased.
Today, the W.R. Weaver Co. operates from a modern
facility at 7125 Industrial Ave, employing a dedicated
workforce of 300 skilled individuals.

He revolutionized the scope market by introducing the
Weaver scope, a low-cost, mass-produced gun sight
that offered exceptional quality and precision. This
groundbreaking approach made high-quality gun scopes
more affordable and accessible to a wider range of
firearm enthusiasts.

Despite facing competition as the scope market
expanded, Bill Weaver’s commitment to innovation and
efficiency ensured that his company remained at the
forefront of the industry. Surprisingly, one of their
strongest foreign markets is Germany, a country
renowned for its optics and scope sight manufacturers.
During WWII, when there was a shortage of lenses, Bill
Weaver took matters into his own hands. He designed
and built machines capable of grinding multiple lenses
simultaneously, reducing costs and ensuring a steady
supply.

Though Weaver passed away in 1975 at the age of 70,
his impact on the firearm industry and the W.R. Weaver
Co. cannot be overstated. Today, the company continues
to thrive, upholding its commitment to producing top-
quality scopes that bear the mark of excellence
synonymous with the Weaver name.

South El Paso St. Historic District ✨
“Pinturas!”

International Bridge, South Santa Fe Street, Circa 1925

The Unique Theatre, 1913.

This neoclassical building was located on 111 S. El Paso St. and stood right next to Hotel Paso del Norte. This photograph of the Unique Theatre, captured by Otis Aultman, can be found at the El Paso Public Library. The films being shown at that time were “The Terrible Daughter” and “The Ironmasters,” with ticket prices of $0.10 for adults and $0.05 for children.

Lincoln School, formerly known as Concordia School, was first opened as a one-room school in Camp Concordia in the Officer’s Quarters in 1868.

Lincoln Park held kindergarten through sixth. Was one of the newer type of elementary school buildings during its time, capacity was 400, was in the northeastern-most section of the city, and overlooked the Fort Bliss Military Post. It was deemed to be demolished but then spared.

Art and sculpture artist Pedro Francisco Rodriguez y Delgado from Cd. Juarez along with the El Paso Community Foundation along with the El Paso Community Foundation proposed the idea of placing an art sculpture at Ascarate Park which would be across from Juarez’s famous “Equis” sculpture back in 2022.

The cost for the monument? A whopping $3 Million. According to Francisco, the monument will represent a “threshold” into the future.

Rodriguez is the artist who designed the “X” sculpture in Cd. Juarez that can be seen from I-10 and Loop 375.

The sculpture is meant to show not what we are, but what we want to be. To show the grandiosity of this city that expresses with modernization and this contemporariness that it needs,” said Rodriguez. “The “X” monument in Cd. Juarez is a national monument. This sculpture would be bi-national. This sculpture is for the border for the “fronterizos” for both countries and both cities.

A Nov. 12, 1912, El Paso Herald editorial mentioned that all the property owners on the “big mesa” had accepted the plans of the special committee for replatting the mesa to include a “wonderful scenic drive along the mesa’s edge.”

On Aug. 15, 1915, the Morning Times reported that the plans for a scenic drive had actually been considered as early as 1882.

Article from the El Paso Times, Trish Long: Scenic Drive was a long time in planning.

On June 14, 1957, a color feature film inspired by “Reminiscences of a Cowboy” was being filmed in El Paso and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The film featured actors Bill Rhinehart, Gerald Roberts (twice world’s champion cowboy), John Cason, Richard Jaeckel, and Jack Lemmon. The shooting took place at El Paso’s Union Stockyards, which had been stripped of electric lighting and telephone wires to create an authentic 1870s setting. Actor Glenn Ford, who had recently had a successful film with “Teahouse of the August Moon,” was also present at the scene but went unnoticed by most of the spectators.

Robosaurus at the 1999 Amigo Airshow at Biggs Field.

Robosaurus is an incredible invention by inventor Doug Malewicki, dating back to 1989. This transforming dinosaur robot was brought to life under his company, Monster Robots, Inc. Inspired by the popular Transformers toys, Robosaurus is designed to captivate audiences with its impressive features. The driver sits inside the robot’s head, and it has the remarkable ability to transform from a massive 48-foot semi-trailer into a mechanical representation of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

One of the most thrilling aspects of Robosaurus is its ability to “eat” and burn vehicles such as automobiles and small airplanes. This unique spectacle adds an element of excitement and entertainment for the audience, making it a highlight of the events where it is featured.

The Franklin Mountains loom over El Paso in this early 1880s photograph. Prior to the boom that came with the arrival of the Southern Pacific, most of El Paso’s structures were made of adobe.

Courtesy of the El Paso Public Library, Border Heritage Center, photographer file, Francis Parker Collection

El Pasoan Is Crowned Miss USA - May 14, 1985
Laura Elena Herring.

2001: Clinton spoke to El Pasoans during the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center’s annual fundraising dinner at the El Paso Civic Center.

Caption reads: President Clinton held a pair of Lucchese boots Friday while Democratic congressional candidate Silvestre Reyes showed off a pair of Tony Lama boots that were given to the president.

El Paso, Texas 1985. ✨

Who knows the exact location?

Photo by Charles Blackburn

El Paso Police Department 1970 - 1979

left to right: Richards Edens, Karl Beasley, Al Kasten, Jim Parks, Richard Ratliff, Juan Borjon Reyes Dominguez, Jim Cato

During the Mexican Revolution, the El Paso Roberts-Banner Building played a significant role in espionage activities. Built in 1910 by two Deming ranchers, the building served as the headquarters for a group of spies directed by former police sergeant Powell Roberts. It is notable that the U.S. government permitted a large number of spies to openly operate within its own territory during this period.

According to the El Paso Herald in 1912, there were over 200 Mexican spies in El Paso, working for at least three different agencies. This unprecedented allowance of espionage activity was specific to the Mexican Revolution era and has not been repeated since.

The El Paso Roberts-Banner Building holds historical significance as a physical location associated with the espionage operations during the Mexican Revolution.

Soldiers from the 11th Brigade, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, launched a Patriot missile at McGregor Range near El Paso, Texas on April 30, 1997. This launch was part of Exercise Roving Sands ‘97, which involved over 20,000 service members from the U.S., Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The exercise aimed to enhance their operational skills in utilizing an integrated air defense network, incorporating ground, missile, and radar early warning systems. It also included the coordination of tactical fighter and bomber aircraft in a simulated high-threat environment. The 43rd Air Defense Artillery, deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas, participated in the exercise.

1930’s photo of Captain Whirley with DP Lowry in his arms and other firemen. Courtesy of The El Paso Fire Department Archives.