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

Scenic Drive

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

1. Scenic Drive Marker

Inscription. As early as 1881, El Paso leaders promoted the idea of creating a place along the base of the Franklin Mountains to provide visitors a panoramic view of the area. The automobile brought new attention to the idea, and in 1920, the city council and Mayor Charles Davis approved construction of a scenic drive. Finished in October 1920, the route became a popular attraction. The 1.82-mile drive reaches an elevation of 4,222 feet, 500 feet above the Rio Grande. In 1932, the city contracted to widen and pave the road, and in 1934, Civilian Conservation Corps Company 855 (Fort Bliss) carried out additional culvert work. Scenic Drive continues to attract visitors to the view of El Paso, Ciudad Juárez and the surrounding Chihuahuan desert.

Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13138.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1920.

Location. 31° 46.962′ N, 106° 28.777′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in West

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Central El Paso. It is on Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2208 Scenic Drive, El Paso TX 79902, 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: El Paso International Airport / The Butterfield Trail / Refinery Area (here, next to this marker); William Beaumont General Hospital /Biggs Air Force Base / Fort Bliss (here, next to this marker); The Rio Grande Rectification Project (a few steps from this marker); El Paso Lower Valley Missions/ Cordova Island/ The City and County of El Paso (a few steps from this marker); The Franklin Mountains (a few steps from this marker); The Rainmakers of 1891 (a few steps

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

2. Scenic Drive Marker

from this marker); The Rio Grande Irrigation Project (a few steps from this marker); The Chamizal Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Also see . . .
1. (video) Scenic Drive - El Paso, TX - Head On View - YouTube. Scenic Drive in El Paso, TX. This is the driver's view. (Submitted on August 28, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. (video) Scenic Drive - El Paso, TX - Passenger Side View - YouTube. (Submitted on August 28, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

3. Scenic Drive Marker

Wide view of the Scenic Drive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by PaulwC3, July 19, 2013

4. Wide view of the Scenic Drive Marker

El Paso Texas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

5. El Paso Texas

View south from marker location.

El Paso from Scenic Drive Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 28, 1996

6. El Paso from Scenic Drive Overlook

El Paso from overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 28, 1996

7. El Paso from overlook

Night view of El Paso and into Mexico from Scenic Drive Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 28, 1996

8. Night view of El Paso and into Mexico from Scenic Drive Overlook

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,497 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on August 25, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 5. submitted on October 28, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 28, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.