Richard M. Dudley, El Paso, TX, Mayor

Richard M. Dudley, El Paso, TX, Mayor

Richard M. Dudley, engineer and El Paso mayor, was born near Waco, Kentucky, on January 1, 1862, the son of a Baptist clergyman. He helped build the New York harbor and later directed construction of the Chihuahua and Pacific Railway and the Mexico and Northwestern Railway, while in a Mexican partnership. In New York he built up his own contracting business and in 1896 married Fannie Moore of Tarrytown, New York; the couple had no children. In 1912 Dudley permanently settled in El Paso, Texas, where he organized the Texas Bank and Trust Company, which was later merged into the First National Bank. He was twice elected as a Democrat to the state legislature and was in his second term when he became embroiled in a bitter city campaign. The Ku Klux Klan was making a strong resurgence in Texas and controlled the school board in El Paso. As the anti-Klan mayoral candidate, Dudley was elected with his entire aldermanic slate in an electoral setback from which the Klan never recovered. Dudley's administration was noteworthy for the construction of public buildings and recreational facilities, and he became the only mayor of El Paso to be elected without opposition when he ran for a second term. He was sworn in on April 16, 1925, but died in an El Paso hospital on May 1 of that year after undergoing ulcer surgery.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: El Paso County Historical Society

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Comments

Add a comment
Thank you for your comment

Report this entry

Choose the most important reason for this report

Your name

Your email address

Optional detail

Thank you for your report

More from the same community-collection

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Rockin' band members probably from the Rhythmheirs, an El Paso ...

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

1960s Saxman from the El Paso music scene.

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Father Rahm is credited with starting the early rock scene in El ...

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Eugene Anchondo and Pearla performing during the 1960s.

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Yucca record release, Strange World written by Arthur Wheeler, ...

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Capital records release, How's About Tomorrow Night?, written by ...

El Paso Rock and Roll 1950-1970, an EP Museum of History Exhibit

Patchwork pants on loan from Chet Woodward, Eagles artwork by El ...

Main Post Office, Downtown

Main Post Office located in downtown El Paso, Texas.

Main Post Office Downtown

Lobby rotunda with stained glass located in the main post office ...

Main Post Office Downtown

These look like they might be the original light fixtures.

Main Post Office Downtown

The lobby floor has mosaics of different postage stamps.

Main Post Office Downtown

Grillwork above the P.O. boxes.

Main Post Office Downtown

Some of the Post Office Boxes.

Main Post Office Downtown

Details around the rotunda.

Main Post Office Downtown

Another outside shot from across Mills in downtown El Paso, ...

Kress Building

Kress building in 1980 - downtown El Paso, Texas. Kress ...

Motorcycle Madness Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of History

Exhibit entrance, August 2012, designed by Tim Hanlon. All of ...

Motorcycle Madness Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of History.

Exhibit entrance - Dukati motorcycle, August 2012, designed by ...

Motorcycle Madness Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of History.

Artifacts - oil cans, helmet, goggles, hats, gloves, August ...

Motorcycle Madness Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of History.

Honda motorcycle, August 2012, designed by Tim Hanlon. All of ...

Motorcycle Madness Exhibit at the El Paso Museum of History.

Buddy Elmore's favorite Triumph racing motorcycle to the left. A ...

home.search_collection