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.
Report this entry
More from the same community-collection
Pioneer Plaza, El Paso, Texas circa 1915
Photo of Pioneer Plaza, shot looking down from a rooftop. ...
El Paso Residence - El Paso, Texas
Unidentified residence on Fort Boulevard Street. The residence ...
Swift and Company Building - El Paso, Texas circa 1905
The Swift and Company located at 217-219 S. Kansas, J.S. ...
El Paso High School - El Paso, Texas
A group of individuals, perhaps staff, standing in front of the ...
The El Paso Bakery - El Paso, Texas
The El Paso Bakery located at 409 N. Oregon,George W. Roberts, ...
Masonic Hospital - El Paso, Texas
El Paso Masonic Hospital. H.T. Ponsford president, E.W. Kayser ...
R. R. Jones Stadium was built in 1916
It overlooks central El Paso and its border with Ciudad Juarez, ...
El Paso Streetcar Arrival, 2018
El Paso Streetcar: Arrival of El Paso Streetcar #1506 in Central ...