El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Alderete-Candelaria House
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010
1. Alderete-Candelaria House Marker
Inscription.
Alderete-Candelaria House. . Although the exact building date for this adobe masonry structure is unknown, it appears to have been constructed during the 1870s for Benigno Alderete (1845-1916). Born in Ysleta (now part of El Paso), Alderete served at various times as a Texas Ranger, county commissioner, and town mayor. The residence became known as the Candelaria House after Alderete's granddaughter Ester married Alex Candelaria, whose family also had been leaders in early El Paso County history. The large "L" shaped house and courtyard originally shared the property with a corral, irrigation ditch, and agricultural field. Built with the help of the neighboring Tigua Indians, the house exhibits many examples of their construction techniques., While Alderete's descendants continued to live in parts of the structure until 1969, other parts have been used for a variety of purposes. The house served as an outbuilding for the nearby mission, as a temporary courthouse, gristmill, school, dance hall, puppet show theatre, movie house, and county office building., The style and usage of the Alderete-Candelaria House attest to the blending of Spanish, Indian, and American influences in the area. This cultural mix is an important part of El Paso County history.
Although the exact building date for this adobe masonry structure is unknown, it appears to have been constructed during the 1870s for Benigno Alderete (1845-1916). Born in Ysleta (now part of El Paso), Alderete served at various times as a Texas Ranger, county commissioner, and town mayor. The residence became known as the Candelaria House after Alderete's granddaughter Ester married Alex Candelaria, whose family also had been leaders in early El Paso County history. The large "L" shaped house and courtyard originally shared the property with a corral, irrigation ditch, and agricultural field. Built with the help of the neighboring Tigua Indians, the house exhibits many examples of their construction techniques.
While Alderete's descendants continued to live in parts of the structure until 1969, other parts have been used for a variety of purposes. The house served as an outbuilding for the nearby mission, as a temporary courthouse, gristmill, school, dance hall, puppet show theatre, movie house, and county office building.
The style and usage of the Alderete-Candelaria House attest to the blending of Spanish, Indian, and American influences in the area. This cultural mix is an important part of El Paso County history.
Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker
Click or scan to see this page online
Number 105.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 31° 41.418′ N, 106° 19.581′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker is on South Old Pueblo Drive south of Alameda Avenue (Texas Highway 20), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 South Old Pueblo Drive, El Paso TX 79907, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,289 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.