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

Elite Confectionary

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

1. Elite Confectionary Marker

Inscription. Elite Confectionary The Elite Confectionary was located on the ground floor of the Buckler Building and was a popular soda fountain in the early years of the 20th century. It was noted for its chocolate covered ice cream baseballs along with candies, cakes, and sodas. One of the Elite's regular customers was Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Villa abstained from alcohol, enforced sobriety among his troops, and was known to destroy saloons and wine cellars. But Villa had a sweet tooth and was fond of strawberry sodas, ice creams, and peanut brittle, which were readily available at the Elite. El Pasoan Otis Aultman, who chronicled much of the Mexican Revolution in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez area, photographed Villa and fellow revolutionary Pascual Orozco enjoying treats at the Elite in 1911. The Elite Confectionary later became part of the W. T. Grant Department store.

Confitería Elite La Confitería, localizada en la planta baja del Edificio Buckler, fue una conocida fuente de sodas a principios del siglo XX. Conocida por sus llamadas pelotas de béisbol cubiertas en chocolate, asi como por dulces,

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pasteles, y refrescos, La Elite tenía entre su clientela regular al líder revolucionario, Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Villa no bebía alcohol ni tampoco dejaba beber a sus tropas y se dice que destrozaba los antros y cavas de vino. Sin embargo, Villa era amante de los dulces y le gustaban los refrescos de fresa, los helados y dulce de cacahuate, que siempre podía uno encontrar en la Confitería Elite. Otis Aultman, Paseño y cronista de mucho de la Revolución en la area de Ciudad Juárez y El Paso, fotografío a Villa y a su compañero revolucionario, Pascual Orozco, en 1911 disfrutando de las delicias de la Confitería. La Confitería Elite posteriormente se convirtio en parte de la tienda de departamentos, W.T. Grant.

Erected by El Paso County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 31° 45.529′ N, 106° 29.241′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in Downtown El Paso. It is at the intersection of Texas Avenue and North Mesa Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed by Robert Larremore, April 6, 2013

2. Elite Confectionary Marker

Today, the Buckler Building is home to a new CVS Pharmacy and has been totally remodeled.

west on Texas Avenue. Marker is on the Texas Avenue side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Mesa Street, 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: John Wesley Hardin (within shouting distance of this marker); Singer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of United States Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Caples Building / Torre Caples (about 300 feet away); El Paso's Chinese Community (about 300 feet away); The Martin Building (about 400 feet away); The First United States Soldiers to Be Stationed at the Pass of the North (about 400 feet away); Hotel Cortez (about

Buckler Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

3. Buckler Building

Elite Confectionary Marker is on the Texas Avenue side of building.

400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Photographed by Robert Larremore, June 24, 2013

4. Elite Confectionary Marker

New CVS Pharmacy which opened on February 24, 2013 after remodeling of the historic Buckler Building.

Close-up of Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

5. Close-up of Photo on Marker

This historic photo shows Mexican revolutionary commanders Pancho Villa (seated far left) and Pascual Orozco (seated at table to Villa's left, with jacket) having ice cream in the Buckler Building’s Elite Confectionary in May 1911. (Otis Aultman Collection/El Paso Public Library).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,260 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Robert Larremore of Laredo, Texas. 3. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on June 28, 2013, by Robert Larremore of Laredo, Texas. 5. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.