From Railroading in the El Paso Southwest
The population in 1881 was 300, in 1884 the population was 3,000.
From Railroading in the El
Paso Southwest
In 1880 surveyers for the railroads came to El Paso. Authorities agree that the arrival of the railroads in 1881 and 1882 was the single most significant event in the history of the city. From out of the west came the Southern Pacific, 18 May 1881. From The Handbook of Texas Online
Down from the north came the Santa Fe, 11 June 1881. The Texas & Pacific arrived from the east on 25 Dec, 1881. Followed a few months later by the Mexican Central from the south, 10 May 1882. So it was with side rods flashing, whistles blowing and bells clanging. The somnolent village on the banks of the Rio Grande came to life. The railroads brought not only goods and services but a breed of willing and hardy pioneers. For railroad families were among the first to buy land, build homes, raise families, supporting their communities with heart and vigor, with all the marching together, El Paso emerged forward as a growing and respected city of destiny at the crossroads of the southwest. From El Paso County History
Four dead in five seconds. El Paso City Marshall Dallas Stoudenmire was in a shootout in which four men were killed in practically as many seconds at the site where Overland Avenue and El Paso street meet. On April 14, 1881, John Hale, gunman and cattle rustler, was the center of an inquest at this location for the murder of two young Mexican ranchers. The discussion became a standoff, the inquest was dismissed, and strong arguments followed in the street. An enraged Hale shot and killed the inquest translator, Gus Krempkau. From up the street Marshal Stoudenmire head the gunfire and came running. He drew his pistol and mistakenly killed a bystander with his first shot, dispatched Hale with his second and killed George Campbell, a Hale supporter and former El Paso city marshal, with his third shot. From El Paso County History
As El Paso became a western boomtown, it also became "Six Shooter Capital" and "Sin City," where scores of saloons, dance halls, gambling establishments, and houses of prostitution lined the main streets. From The Handbook of Texas Online
El Paso Street, El Paso 1882
From Historic Texas Postcards
George
Feurmann City of Houston Collection
In 1883 the county seat was moved from Ysleta to El Paso.
1883
1885
1888
Public education in El Paso began with the establishment of an elementary school
in 1884
and a high school in 1885.
