Fray Garcia De San Francisco - El Paso, Texas

On September 26, 1996, Houser installed in downtown El Paso, a 14' monument to Fray García de San Francisco, first in the XII Travelers series. "FRAY GARCIA DE SAN FRANCISCO, FOUNDER OF THE PASS OF THE NORTH, 1659" By Sculptor John Houser- Pioneer Plaza- El Paso Texas When El Pasoans walk, they celebrate the endurance of the Franciscan friars and the Native Americans who long ago tra­ versed on foot the vast Southwestern landscape. Fray Garcia founded Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission at the Pass of the North in 1659 (EI Paso, Texas and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua). The little community became an important settlement on the Camino Real de Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior) that linked Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: Jody Polk Schwartz

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History