“Boot Hill.” Gunfighter John Wesley Hardin is buried here along with other notable gunslingers. 3700 E. Yandell Drive. Exit I-10 at Copia. 915/842-8200.
www.concordiacemetery.org.
EL PASO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY—Dedicated to researching, preserving and publishing area history, the society has an extensive collection of photos, ar- chives and postcards. Free. 603 W. Yandell Drive. 915/533-3603.
www.elpasohistory.com.
EL PASO EXPLOREUM—This is a “living laboratory” for children and features multiple interactive exhibits in four theme areas: construction, aviation, role-play and high tech. 300 W. San Antonio Ave. 915/533-4330.
http://elpasoexploreum.org.
EL PASO HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND STUDY CENTER— This facility depicts life in Europe during the pre-Nazi era; the ascension of the Third Reich; the deportation of prisoners; life in the camps; resistance efforts; and the liberation by Allied forces. Free. 715 N. Oregon St. 915/351-0048.
www.elpasoholocaustmuseum.org.
EL PASO MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY—Facility tells the story of the first inhabitants of the El Paso area, the greater Southwest and northern Mexico. Grounds include nature trails, native plant gardens and outdoor exhibits. Free. 4301 Transmountain Road. 915/755-4332.
www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum.
The El Paso Museum of Art’s collection includes the work of James Surls.
Some of the oldest pictographs in North America are in this area. Boating, camping and hunting fees apply. Other fees may apply. National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes are honored. The Visitor Information Center has interactive displays, a short film about the recreation area, a special panel on Pan- ther Cave, and a bookstore. On U.S. 90, about 10 miles west of Del Rio. 830/775-7491.
www.nps.gov/amis.
DEVILS RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA—Devils River’s large size and remoteness support day hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking/canoeing, fishing and guided rock-art and bat-flight tours by appointment. Advance preparation is a must. All camping and facility stays are by reservation only, at least one day in advance; call 512/389-8901. Admission charge. 830/395-2133.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/devils-river.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN—Visit the downtown area with its historic buildings, churches and homes dating from the 1800s, including the 1887 courthouse. See the his- toric acequia system (irrigation canals) still in use. A walking tour brochure is available from the chamber of commerce. 830/775-3551 or 800/889-8149.
LAKE—Amistad International Reservoir—A joint project of the United States and Mexico, Amistad (friendship) Dam impounds the Rio Grande just below Devil’s River. Access through Amistad National Recre- ation Area. 830/775-7491
WHITEHEAD MEMORIAL MUSEUM—Dedicated to life and legends of the frontier Southwest, this museum includes a rustic structure that was an early trading
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING THE EL PASO MISSION TRAIL Association hosts this event in April. Costumed actors and dancers represent the Native Americans and Spaniards, who give thanks and celebrate after their perilous crossing of the Chihuahuan desert and arrival at the banks of the Rio Grande.
www.visitelpasomissiontrail.com.
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post. Includes 2.5 acres and 13 exhibit sites. Judge Roy Bean (see LANGTRY) and his son are buried on the grounds. Admission charge. 1308 S. Main St. 830/774-7568.
www.whiteheadmuseum.org.
WINERY—Val Verde Winery. See WINERIES listing.
EL PASO POP. 669,882
ALT. 3,762 MAP L-1/QQ-20
EL PASO VISITOR CENTERS: Two centers are oper- ated by Destination El Paso. The main center: 400 W. San Antonio. 915/534-0661. A second center: 6701 Convair Road, in the El Paso International Airport. 915/534-0658.
www.visitelpaso.com.
The city grew from settlements dating to the Juan de Oñate expedition in 1598 and a settlement by Juan Maria Ponce de León in 1827, although area missions predate Ponce de León’s settlement by almost 150 years. It is the largest U.S. city on the Mexican border, and neighboring Ciudad Juàrez is Mexico’s largest bor- der city. Nightly on the west horizon, a 459-foot star with 459 lights can be seen from sunset–sunrise on the south side of the Franklin Mountains. El Pasoans celebrate Thanksgiving in spring, mark-
ing when Oñate and his travelers crossed the Rio Grande near El Paso on April 20, 1598, and stopped to feast. Professional sports teams are the El Paso Chihua-
huas, Triple-A baseball; the El Paso Patriots, A-League soccer; El Paso Rhinos Western States Hockey League Mid West Conference; and the El Paso Scorpions Rugby Club. Sun Bowl Stadium is home to the annual Sun Bowl Football Classic. For a two-pound steak, inquire about the Indian
Cliffs Ranch/Cattleman’s Steakhouse, 30 minutes east of the city on I-10. Call 915/544-3200.
CENTENNIAL MUSEUM AND GARDENS—Highlights the Chihuahuan Desert, with more than 625 plants species in the garden. Free. University Avenue and Wiggins Road. 915/747-5565.
www.museum.utep.edu.
CHAMIZAL NATIONAL MEMORIAL—Park cites amica- ble settlement of long-standing border dispute in an area by the Rio Grande where a channel marks the ad- justed international boundary. It has a visitor center, plus exhibits and films in Spanish and English on Chamizal and border history. 800 S. San Marcial St. 915/532-7273.
www.nps.gov/cham.
CONCORDIA CEMETERY—Historic cemetery and land- mark is divided into five parts, including the actual
EL PASO MUSEUM OF ART—This facility houses a per- manent collection of more than 6,000 works of art, in- cluding the Samuel H. Kress Collection of European Art from the 13th-18th centuries, American art from the 19th-20th centuries, and Mexican colonial art and retablos. Free. One Arts Festival Plaza. 915/212-0300.
www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY—In the downtown Cul- tural District, this facility houses exhibits focusing on 400 years of history that shaped El Paso. Permanent exhibits include artifacts, images and documents. In- cludes a Touch City 3-D Digital History Wall—the first in the United States. 510 N. Santa Fe St. 915/351-3588.
http://history.elpasotexas.gov.
EL PASO ZOO—Exhibits show more than 240 species of animals, including some from Asia and the Ameri- cas. The “Paraje” portrays the early history and ani- mals of El Paso and the Southwest. The Aviary allows an up-close view of exotic birds. Restaurant and gift shop. Admission charge. 4001 E. Paisano St. 915/212-0966.
www.elpasozoo.org.
FORT BLISS MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS—A U.S. Army post, Fort Bliss was established in 1848 to de- fend against hostile Native American tribes and to as- sert U.S. authority over lands acquired after the Mexi- can War. Today, it is a U.S. Army Air Defense Center with combat training for allied nations. 915/568-5412.
www.bliss.army.mil.
Buffalo Soldier Monument—This bronze statue is
based on the painting, “The Errand of Corporal Ross” by El Paso artist Bob Snead. At the Robert E. Lee gate. Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums—
Exhibits and artifacts portray the history of America’s air and missile defense as well as modern-day technol- ogy breakthroughs. Building 1735, Marshall Road. Noncommissioned Officer Heritage and Edu- cation Center—Traces the history of the U.S. NCO corps with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War. Biggs Army Airfield, Building 11331, SSG Sims St. 915/744-8646.
FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK—Texas boasts the largest state park in an urban setting at more than 24,000 acres. Hike the rugged terrain of Chihuahuan Desert, scrub vegetation and open space with 135 miles of multiuse trails that are popular with mountain bikers. 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. At Woodrow Bean and Trans Mountain roads. 915/566-6441.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN—A 90-minute, self-guided walking tour begins in San Jacinto Plaza, the original site of Ponce de León’s ranch; winds through El Paso’s downtown historic district; and ends on Mills Street at the Kress Building. Contact Destination El Paso for a brochure. 915/534-0661.
PHOTO: J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOT
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