Eucalyptus in El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Magoffinsville and Fort Bliss (1849-1868)
Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024
1. Magoffinsville and Fort Bliss (1849-1868) Marker
James Wiley Magoffin established a grand residence and trading post across from El Paso del Norte (Ciudad Juárez) in 1849. James, known by his friends as Don Santiago, was one of the most influential leaders in the area. Magoffinsville became an important social and commercial center.Magoffinsville was also the site of the United States Army's second military post in El Paso and the first to be named Fort Bliss. In 1853, the 8th Infantry was sent to the El Paso area to reestablish a fort. The army leased buildings at Magoffinsville. In March 1854, the post was officially named Fort Bliss, in honor of Brevet Lt. Col. William Wallace Smith Bliss.
Federal troops abandoned Fort Bliss at the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-1865) and then Confederate troops used it as a supply depot for invading New Mexico Territory. The fort was retaken by the Union in 1862.
The U.S. Army rebuilt and reoccupied Fort Bliss in 1865-1866, but a massive flood on the nearby Rio Grande in 1867 swept away most of the buildings, forcing the Army to relocate. Magoffin never rebuilt the settlement and died in San Antonio, Texas in 1868.
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En 1849 James Wiley Magoffin estableció una gran residencia y un negocio comercial al otro lado del Paso del Norte (Cd. Juárez). James, conocido por sus amigos como Don Santiago, fue uno de los líderes más influyentes en la zona. Magoffinsville llegó a ser una importante sede social y comercial.
Magoffinsville fue también la segunda plaza militar del Ejército Estadounidense en El Paso, y la primera en ser nombrada Fort Bliss. En 1853, la 8º Infantería fue enviada al área de El Paso a reestablecer el fuerte. El ejército arrendó edificios en Magoffinsville. En Marzo de 1854, en honor a Brevet Ten. Cor. William Wallace Smith Bliss, la plaza fue oficialmente llamada Fort Bliss.
Al estallar la guerra civil (1861-1865) tropas federales abandonaron Fort Bliss y después tropas de la Confederación lo usaron como depósito al invadir el territorio de Nuevo México. La Unión retomó el fuerte en 1862.
Entre 1865-1866 el Ejército Estadounidense reconstruyó y se reinstalo en Fort Bliss, pero en 1867 una gran inundación del Río Bravo acabo con la mayoría de los edificios y la plaza de armas forzando al ejército a relocalizarse. Magoffin jamás reconstruyó el sitio y en 1868 murió en San Antonio, Texas.
Erected by El Paso County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024
2. The view of the Marker along the street
Location. 31° 46.195′ N, 106° 27.87′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in Eucalyptus. It is on Magoffin Avenue east of Willow Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2100 Magoffin 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: Site of the First Fort Bliss (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Douglass High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Guardian Angel Church (approx. half a mile away); Defining A Border (approx. half a mile away); Nuestra Herencia, Our Shared Heritage: (approx. 0.6 miles away); Estela Portillo Trambley (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chamizal National Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.
Photographed by James Hulse, July 22, 2024
3. The reverse of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
