epcounty.com - Border Archives

El Paso County Border Area Archives

Guide to Archives of El Paso, Ciudad Juárez and Mesilla Valley

Border Heritage Center of the El Paso Public Library 501 North Oregon, El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 543-5440 elpasotexas.gov/library/ourlibraries/main_library/border heritage.asp The Border Heritage Center has a collection intended to preserve the history of El Paso and the surrounding area by acquiring books, photographs, and architectural drawings that depict the heritage of our diverse population. The El Paso Times newspaper index and city directories date back to 1885. The Henry Trost architectural drawings and Otis Aultman photo collection are used for study, preservation, and documenting the history of the early buildings of El Paso and such events as the Mexican Revolution and of El Paso. Open Monday 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Borderlands web site of El Paso Community College, Northwest Campus epcc.edu/nwlibrary/borderlands/ Borderlands on the Web is an annual El Paso Community College student publication on local history of El Paso, Texas; New Mexico; and the Mexican border. All 13 years and 260 plus articles with subject, author and title indexes can be viewed on the web. This web site is currently being linked to more than 70 universities, public schools, government entities, organizations, search engines, and even commercial sites as an online border historical resource
City of El Paso Archives & Records Center 617 Texas Avenue, 2 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 541-4127 elpasotexas.gov/records/ Originally acquired by the City of El Paso in 2002, the Archives & Records Center has evolved into the City's principal resource center for the collection, conservation and study of records relating to the history and operation of El Paso's municipal government. The Center contains a municipal archive, which holds a variety of historically significant materials relating to the history of El Paso. By appointment only. Closed city holidays.
C. L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department of The University of Texas at El Paso Library Wiggins and Rim Road, University of Texas at El Paso campus; University of Texas at El Paso Library, El Paso, TX 79968-0582 (915) 747-5697 libraryweb.utep.edu/special/special.cfm The C. L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department is located on the sixth floor of the University of Texas at El Paso Library. Its mission is to acquire, preserve, and make available rare book, manuscript, photograph, and oral history collections with a focus on El Paso and the border region. Holdings include more than 500 manuscript collections and 40 photograph collections; the oral history collection contains almost 1,000 interviews. Several thematic book collections are available, including the Southwest and Border Studies Collection, the S. L. A. Marshall Military History Collection, and the Carl Hertzog Collection on printing and book design. Open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. El Paso County
El Paso County Historical Society 603 Yandell Drive, El Paso, TX 79940 (915) 533-3603 elpasohistory.com The El Paso County Historical Society's Jane Burges Perrenot Historical Research Center offers researchers the following historical and archival resources of El Paso City Directories dating back to the late 1880s. They also contain searchable databases including: The Society's quarterly journal PASSWORD, published since 1956, which includes articles about the local area concerning its 400 year history. Photographs of the El Paso area, Mexican Revolution, etc. Postcards from local area and international subjects Documents, maps, publications, yearbooks, scrapbooks, etc. News clippings Architectural drawings Books by local authors on history of the area Obituaries on some local people The Society will help researchers with computer online and in house research, answering Email requests, etc. The web site offers more information and searchable databases. Open Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or by appointment.
El Paso County Records Management and Archives 800 East Overland, 3 Floor, Suite 330, El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 546-8101 epcounty.com/clerk/recordsmngt.htm The mission of the El Paso County Records Management and Archives is to provide secure and permanent storage for the official records of El Paso County, Texas, and to preserve records of historical significance that document the history of El Paso County. By appointment only.
El Paso Medical Heritage Foundation Museum 1301 Montana, El Paso, TX 79902 (915) 533-0940 This museum, founded in 1966, has a collection of 19 and 20 century written records and artifacts pertaining to the medical history of El Paso. Letters, photographs, medical books, journals, instruments, and medical equipment are displayed in the three period theme rooms. There is an early 20 century Postcard Collection, a complete set of Stereoscopic Anatomical cards, and a collection of prescription labels from many former local pharmacies. Open by appointment only November through May. Call the El Paso Medical Society to schedule a tour.
El Paso Museum of History 510 N. Santa Fe, El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 351-3588 elpasotexas.gov/history The Museum highlights the heritage of the Southwest from American Indians and Spanish explorers to stagecoach travelers and cavalry soldiers. The Museum maintains a small collection of original photographs and other materials that support its research and exhibit activities. Topics include prominent El Paso people and buildings, horse cavalry at Ft. Bliss during the 20th century, the Mexican Revolution, photograph albums and scrapbooks from the 1890's, and material on the W.R. Brown and Crockett families. Open Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Researchers by appointment only.
Heritage House of the University of Texas at El Paso Kerby & Randolph (inside UTEP campus) Mailing address: c/o Alumni Office, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968 (915) 747-5700 or 747-5592 Heritage House makes available to researchers a variety of past University and student publications; historic videotapes; files on past faculty and outstanding alumni; course catalogs; commencement programs; memorabilia such as athletic uniforms; pep squad costumes; commemorative jewelry; and a limited archive of photographs. Open Wednesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, and other hours by appointment.
Magoffin Home State Historic Site 1120 Magoffin Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 533-5147 tpwd.state.tx.us/park/magoffin The Magoffin Home provides preservation of important facets the the of late 19 and early 20 century construction, life styles, and material culture. The site also provides public access to interpretative and educational experiences such as historical reenactments representing the collective cultural heritage of the borderlands as exemplified in the Magoffin family and home. Open daily 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
FORT BLISS, TEXAS Fort Bliss requirements to get on post include: 1) Current Driver's License 2) Current Car Insurance 3) Current Car Registration 4) Current Vehicle inspection sticker Fort Bliss Curatorial Facility Directorate of Environment, Building 624, Pleasonton Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916 (915) 568-6697 Preservation and management of cultural resources is a mission of the Fort Bliss Curatorial Facility. Operated by the Directorate of Environment, the curatorial facility is the repository for documents and artifacts generated by cultural resources activities conducted by Fort Bliss and other federal organizations. The facility, currently housed in an adaptively reused 1935 historic stable building, comprises almost 5,500 square feet of climate controlled storage for artifacts and documents. Open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Access to facility is monitored and will require advance notice and Directorate of Environment approval.
Fort Bliss Museums and Study Center Building 1735, Marshall Road, ATSC-GC-M, Fort Bliss, TX 79916-3802 (915) 568-6794, Ext. 2804 www.bliss.army.mil/Museum/fort_bliss_museum.htm The Fort Bliss Museum holds archival documents, photographs and a reference library directly related to the founding and history of the post (1840 - present), tenant units and military history in general. Open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Archives access is by prior arrangement only. Mickelsen Libraries at Fort Bliss (includes both the Fort Bliss Community Library & the Air Defense Artillery School Library) Mickelsen Libraries, Building 2E, Sheridan Rd., Fort Bliss, TX 79916 (915) 568-3089 - Chief Librarian (915) 568-6154 - Community Library (915) 568-1902 - ADA School Library Web Address: Community Library: http://www.blissmwr.com/library/ ADA School Library: http://airdefense.bliss.army.mil/library The ADA School Library contains materials related to military battles and campaigns, country studies, Southwest history, and an extensive library of similar items found on microfiche from DTIC/NTIS. The Community Library contains many of the materials found in a typical city branch library. The ADA School Library is open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm.; Community Library is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:50 p.m. Both libraries are open to the public, but only personnel assigned to Fort Bliss may check out materials.
U.S. Army Museum of the Noncommissioned Officer Bldg. 11331 SSG Simms Street, Fort Bliss, TX, 79918-8002 Mailing Address: ATSS-SM, USASMA Fort Bliss, TX 79918-8002 (915) 568-8646 http://usasma.bliss.army.mil/NCOMuseum/Default.htm Founded in 1975, the U.S. Army Museum of the Noncommissioned Officer portrays the history of the NCO and provides a place for historical research. Museum exhibits present a chronological development of the NCO from 1775 to the present. Exhibits emphasize the NCO's evolution and his role as a small-unit combat leader, trainer, and bearer of the standards by including uniforms, equipment, weapons, and chevrons. Open Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy 11291 SGT E. Churchill Street Fort Bliss, TX 79918-8002 (915) 568-9978 http://usasma.bliss.army.mil The U.S. Sergeants Major Academy provides historical information, including provision of lessons in the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. The Academy also maintains archival material relating to the academy and the noncommissioned officer corps. The Academy is also a historical reference service for NCO Corps and the public. Address mail inquiries to Commandant, ATSS-CMH Dr. Robert H. Bouilly. Archival research by appointment only.
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Learning Resources Center 11291 SGT E. Churchill Street Fort Bliss, TX 79918-8002 Mailing address (915) 568-8606 ATSS-SL, USASMA Fort Bliss, TX 79918-8002 http://usasma.bliss.army.mil/LRC The Learning Resources Center contains a comprehensive collection with emphasis on U.S. and world military history, and the history of the U.S. Army noncommissioned officer corps. A special collection includes U.S. Army unit histories, older works of military history, and autographed books. Open 62 hours per week, Sunday Friday (call for hours). Available to the general public for in-house use or through interlibrary loan.
CIUDAD JUAREZ, CHIH., MEXICO El Archivo Histórico de la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe - The Historic Archive of the Cathedral of Señora Guadalupe The Archivo de la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is located in the administrative offices underneath the Cathedral on the west side of the Plaza de Armas in downtown Ciudad Juárez. Mailing address: From U.S.: P.O. Box 1145, El Paso, TX 79947. From Mexico: Apdo. 53. Ciudad Juárez, 32000 Chihuahua + 656- 615-5562 The main foci are the Libro Bautismos (Book of Baptisms), Libro Confirmaciones (Book of Confirmations), Libro de Defunciones (Book of Deaths) and a collection known as Oficios Varios (various documents) that cover the period from about 1750 to the present. Inquiries should be directed to either the Archbishop or Martha I. Arroyo de Orozco. Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mesilla Valley Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces 260 Med Park, Las Cruces, NM 880055 dioceseoflascruces.org The archives collection of the Diocese of Las Cruces is dedicated to the history of the Catholic Church in southern New Mexico, particularly focusing on the years since its inception as a separate diocese in 1982. A limited amount of genealogical records are held there, although most are retained by individual parishes, especially those more recent than 1940. All other records pertain directly to parish histories and diocesan office collections. Some are restricted. Open Monday Friday 8:000 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Archival research by appointment only. Doña Ana County Historical Society 500 North Water Street, Las Cruces, NM 88012 (505) 541-2155 The mission of the Doña Ana County Historical Society is to encourage and promote a greater appreciation and knowledge of the historical and cultural heritage of southern New Mexico. Services provided by web site only. New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011-5067 (505) 522-4100 frhm.org The Museum Library and Archives primarily provides resources for the development of exhibits, programs, and interpretation. Material that may be of interest to the public includes: over 4,000 books on local and agricultural history of New Mexico and the region; the Rare Books collection, including state Brand Books; interviews generated by the Museum's Oral History Program; and archival materials related to the history of the museum or its supporting Foundation. Archival research by appointment only. New Mexico State University Libraries MSC 3474 P.O. Box 30006; University Libraries; New Mexico State University Library, Archives and Special Collections Department, Las Cruces, NM 88003 (505) 646-3839 http://archives.nmsu.edu The New Mexico State University Library, Archives and Special Collections Department serves several functions as a repository for non-current university and administrative records (Hobson- Huntsinger University Archives) and for research records of organizations, manuscripts and personal papers (Rio Grande Historical Collections), maps, books and other special collections documenting the cultural heritage and history of New Mexico, the Spanish Borderlands, and the Southwest. Open Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. White Sands Missile Range Museum Building 200 Headquarters Ave, P.O. Box 400, White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002-0400 (505) 678-8824 wsmr-history.org The archives are a project of the WSMR Museum, housed in a building on WSMR. They are not a federal archive, but rather a collection of publications, movies, videotapes and photos dealing with all aspects of WSMR, plus personal papers and photos donated to the museum. Archival research by appointment or by using the museum website. CREDITS The Border Regional Archives Group (BRAG) would like to express appreciation and gratitude to the following individuals: Cindy Williams, graduate library student - University of North Texas; Ernesto Hernandez, Graphic Design - El Paso Public Library and; Ray Sanchez, Webmaster - County of El Paso. Photographs courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Texas at El Paso and the Fort Bliss Museums and Study Center. Printing funded by the El Paso County Historical Commission. About BRAG The members of the Border Regional Archive Group (BRAG) are dedicated to promoting the use of the archival resources of our area and assuring the preservation and accessibility of those historical documents. The collaborative group consists of a membership that includes public library systems, museums, universities, government repositories, a foundation and a historical society. The area represented by the group encompasses a two-nation, three-state, metropolitan region. The archival collections contain photographs and other materials of interest on an international scale including the Taft-Diaz Presidential visit, the Mexican Revolution, the United States Cavalry in the El Paso area, early settlers, mission architecture, early 20th-century medical technology, railroads in the U.S. and Mexico, architectural records and many other subjects.