San Antonio Street Around 1900

San Antonio Street Around 1900

The image shows San Antonio Street, El Paso, Texas probably in the beginning of 20th century. Coaches were still the way of transportation; no cars can be seen yet. However, the need for electricity in El Paso started around 1900, when El Paso grew from a small adobe village to a thriving city due to the arrival of the railroad in 1881. Electricity on a large scale was first used in transportation: The mule-drawn streetcar system was ended in 1900 and instead, electric cars were being used. Since then, electric streetcars did not only operate between El Paso and Juarez but routes were built in all directions; to Fort Bliss, Government Hill and to the Mesa Street route. In 1886, the first small direct generating plant had been established, providing current for a few street lights and stores. By 1890, the El Paso pioneer Zach T. White had assumed command of the electrical energy business and had new generating equipment installed at Third and Chihuahua Streets. The use of incandescent lamps began in El Paso stores and homes. Since then, electric systems grew and a larger generating plant was built (since 1910s). It supplied power not only to El Paso, but also to Juarez. El Paso Electric Railway Company was the largest electric company at that time.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Texas State Hist. Assoc-MS153. Photo ID: San Antonio Street.jpg.

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections

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

Seventh Wall of Giants - El Paso, Texas

Early members of the Women's Club in El Paso Texas were ...

Woman's Club Timeline - El Paso, Texas

This timeline was used in an exhibit at Museum of History in ...

Don Haskins Bear - El Paso, Texas

This bear was given to Don Haskins by boosters of the UTEP ...

Chicano Art - El Paso, Texas

The Chicano Movement roughly parallels the efforts of ...

Bridal Gown - El Paso, Texas

Wedding dresses are special, well cared for garments. Because ...

A to Z Exhibit 2017 - El Paso, Texas

You are invited to explore El Paso: A to Z Here you will ...

Acelia Alderete Armijo Bridal Gown - El Paso, Texas

Wedding dresses are special, well cared for garments. Because ...

Typewriters Exhibit - El Paso, Texas

The modern manual typewriter was the creation of many inventors ...

Homecoming Mums - El Paso, Texas

Decorated homecoming mums are a Western – and an El Paso – ...

Rosa Guerrero - El Paso, Texas

Rosa Guerrero is a well-known El Paso artist, educator, dance ...

A to Z Exhibit - El Paso, Texas

Mass transportation in 1882 came in the form of mule cars, which ...

Quilts - El Paso, Texas

Quilting is a process where several layers of material are sewn ...

Jake Erlich - El Paso, Texas

Jake Erlich (professional name Jake Earle) grew up in El Paso. ...

Amigo (Sun) Man - El Paso, Texas

Amigo man began in 1974 as a marketing tool for the El Paso ...

Engine No. 2 - El Paso, Texas

The El Paso Fire Department’s second steam pumper was built in ...

Radio - El Paso, Texas

Broadcast radio came to El Paso in the 1920s. The Mine and ...

UTEP Exhibit Opening - 2014

UTEP - Centennial Celebration - 100 years old - El Paso, Texas. ...

Fray Garcia Monument - John Sherrill Houser - El Paso, Texas

Fray Garcia Monument - John Sherrill Houser - El Paso, Texas - ...

Fray Garcia De San Francisco - El Paso, Texas

Fray Garcia De San Francisco - El Paso, Texas - Artist places ...

Fray Garcia De San Francisco - El Paso, Texas

Fray Garcia De San Francisco - El Paso, Texas - " The Mission ...

First Steps Eight Wall of Giants - El Paso, Texas

El Paso’s Eighth Wall of Giants First Steps: A Commemoration ...

Raymond Telles and Rene Miranda

Raymond L. Telles, Jr. (1915-2013) Raymond L. Telles, was ...

CHS Band and Athletic Mementos - El Paso, Texas

Cathedral High School Band and Athletic mementos. 2017

home.search_collection