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

A City Is Born

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, October 3, 2025

1. A City Is Born Marker

Inscription. On this site, with Butterfield Stages rumbling by, stood a saloon operated by Ben S. Dowell, who became the first Mayor of El Paso on August 15, 1873; with Aldermen John F. Evans, John S. Gillette, Andrew Hornick, Thomas N. Massie, Joseph Schutz and William Tryer. Their first official act was to pass Ordinance No. 1, making it illegal for any person to bathe in El Paso's water and drinking supply…namely, an acequia which ran 150 feet north of this location.

From this inauspicious beginning grew a great city at this pass of the north a crossroads of the western hemisphere. This bronze is dedicated to those who through the years have helped shape the destiny of El Paso, to its rightful place in the affairs of man, an international city of strength, warmth and continuing opportunity for all its people…our El Paso.

Erected 1973 by The State National Bank of El Paso, Texas.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 31° 45.467′ N, 106° 29.348′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in Downtown El Paso. It is at the intersection of South El Paso Street and East San Antonio Avenue, on the left when traveling north on South El

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Paso Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South El Paso 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: Hotel Paso Del Norte (here, next to this marker); Felix Martinez (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); El Paso (within shouting distance of this marker); Fray García de San Francisco (within shouting distance of this marker); El Paso's First Newspaper (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montgomery Building (about 300 feet away); LULAC (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

2. A City Is Born Marker

Marker is seen on the right with the Nearby Marker "Hotel Paso Del Norte" is seen on the left.

Hotel Paso del Norte image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

3. Hotel Paso del Norte

A City Is Born Marker is at far right.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

4. A City Is Born Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,129 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.