Downtown El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

El Camino Real

(The King's Highway)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

1. El Camino Real Marker

Inscription. The regal highway extending between his Catholic majesty's far flung kingdoms of New Spain, from Mexico City to the Kingdom of New Mexico, passed here. From 1581 onward it was the route followed by conqueror, padre, merchant, adventurer and settler. Along its course passed ox-cart and mule-train and the traffic of the new realm.

Erected 1936 by The State of Texas. (Marker Number 643.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, and the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1581.

Location. 31° 45.566′ N, 106° 29.318′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in Downtown El Paso. It is at the intersection of North Oregon Street and Mills Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Oregon Street. Marker is at the southwest corner of San Jacinto Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 W Mills Ave, El Paso TX 79901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Sidewalk Clock (a few steps from this marker); San Jacinto Plaza (a few steps from this marker); El Paso's Chinese Community

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(within shouting distance of this marker); First Encounter Between President William H. Taft and President Porfirio Díaz (within shouting distance of this marker); The First United States Soldiers to Be Stationed at the Pass of the North (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of United States Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); El Paso County (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Cortez (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

2. El Camino Real Marker

Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

3. Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Plaque

Plaque is just to the left of the El Camino Real Marker.

The El Camino Real was designated a Texas Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1989.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,388 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on January 15, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.