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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

Pioneer Plaza

 
 
Pioneer Plaza Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
1. Pioneer Plaza Marker
Inscription. Pioneer Plaza was the center of public activity in early El Paso. A United States military guard was posted here in the late 1870s to defend citizens from Apache Indian attacks, and military bands performed in the plaza.

An irrigation ditch flowed along the south boundary of the plaza and nourished a line of trees which shaded the area. Among the trees was an ash known as the "Newspaper Tree" on which public notices were posted.

Major roads and trails passed through the plaza. El Paso Street led southward to El Paso Del Norte, Mexico, and San Francisco Street led westward from the plaza to connect with trails to California. The Butterfield Overland Stage route crossed the southwest corner of the plaza.

Pioneer Plaza was the site of many parades and public events. United States President William H. Taft and Mexican President Porfirio Diaz each passed through the plaza with their entourages while en route to the Chamber of Commerce building for their historic meeting on October 16, 1909.

Due to its small size, Pioneer Plaza was replaced by San Jacinto Plaza as the center of activity.
 
Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission and the Women's Club of El Paso Historical and Charitable Trust. (Marker Number 4031.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker
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is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1892.
 
Location. 31° 45.508′ N, 106° 29.338′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker is on South El Paso Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Pioneer Plaza and South El Paso Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: El Paso TX 79901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. El Paso (here, next to this marker); Fray García de San Francisco (here, next to this marker); El Paso's First Newspaper (a few steps from this marker); LULAC (a few steps from this marker); The First Kindergarten in Texas (a few steps from this marker); The Woman's Club of El Paso (a few steps from this marker); Hotel Paso Del Norte (within shouting distance of this marker); A City Is Born (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.
 
Pioneer Plaza Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
2. Pioneer Plaza Marker
Pioneer Plaza Marker is on the left.
Pioneer Plaza image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
3. Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
4. Pioneer Plaza
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024