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

Defining A Border

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

1. Defining A Border Marker

Inscription. If you were standing here prior to the Chamizal Treaty of 1963, you would have been on a Mexican "island" looking into the United States. Referred to as Cordova Island because it was completely surrounded by the United States, this parcel of land was given to the U.S. by Mexico in exchange for land to the west.

Cordova Island's original international boundary was defined using evenly spaced cement fence posts, and cast iron markers such as the one before you. This 600-pound marker was one of nineteen that identified the Mexico border around Cordova Island.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 31° 46.113′ N, 106° 27.359′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. It is in Central El Paso. It can be reached from South San Marcial Street. Marker is located at the Chamizal National Memorial, on the north side of the park along East Paisano Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 South San Marcial Street, El Paso TX 79905, United States of America.

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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: Nuestra Herencia, Our Shared Heritage: (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Estela Portillo Trambley (about 600 feet away); Chamizal National Memorial (about 700 feet away); Stephen Tyng Mather (about 700 feet away); Leaders for the Ages / Líderes para todas las épocas (about 800 feet away); Guardian Angel Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Magoffinsville and Fort Bliss (1849-1868) (approx. half a mile away); Douglass High School (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Additional keywords. International Borders

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

2. Defining A Border Marker

Close up of marker text.

Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

3. Photo Displayed on Marker

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz unveil a commemorative boundary marker at Chamizal in October 1967.

El Presidente de los Estados Unidos Lyndon B. Johnson y el Presidente de México Gustavo Díaz Ordaz descubren un monumento conmemorativo de límites territoriales en octubre de 1967.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

4. Defining A Border Marker

International Boundary Border Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

5. International Boundary Border Marker

View North

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

6. International Boundary Border Marker

View South

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,432 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.