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

Display case with memorabilia. Mary Haskins & Joe Gomez

Display case with memorabilia. Credit: Mary Haskins and Joe ...

The Bear - nickname given to Don Haskins

The Bear - a nickname given to Don Haskins because of his ...

First Wall of Giants

El Paso's First Wall of Giants Reception in 2009. Credits: ...

Mary Haskins wife of Don Haskins speaks - EL Paso, Texas

Mary Haskins wife of Don Haskins speaks during El Paso Museum of ...

First Wall of Giants - Official unveiling

Official unveiling of El Paso's "First Wall Of Giants" dedicated ...

Chamber Gala, El Paso, Texas 2014

Joe and Laura Gomez at annual chamber gala with Mr & Mrs Matt ...

Hire El Paso First

Joe Gomez at City Hall with Bruce Collins. Celebrating the ...

Hall of Fame Award - Don Haskins, 1997

Hall of Fame Award - Don Haskins, 1997 Credit: Mary Haskins

Joe Gomez receiving Star on the Mountain Award 2006

Accepting Star on the Mountain Award by City Council . Coach ...

Joe Gomez, Laura Gomez and friends at the Jersey Boys

Friends at the Jersey Boys concert at the Plaza Theater

Joe Gomez Star on the Mountain Award

Star on the Mountain Trophy

Arts Festival Plaza - El Paso, Texas

The Arts Festival Plaza is located in the heart of downtown El ...

Elevtors at Cortez

Where else will you see such beautiful elevator doors in El ...

Trost Beauty Everywhere!!

This is view is from inside the Wells Fargo building. You can ...

Railroad Union Depot, El Paso, TX circa 2015

Have you ever visited the Downtown Union Plaza? The inside is ...

City Hall Before Demolition

My granddaughter was amazed as she stood in front of City Hall ...

El Paso Public Libray

The El Paso Public Library’s history goes back to 1894 when ...

El Paso Public Library

In 1943, the library's collections had again outgrown its ...

El Paso Public library

Main Library located at 501 N Oregon street - side entrance.

El Paso Public Library Entrance

Main (Downtown) Library 501 N Oregon, Entrance sign.

Main (Downtown) Library - El Paso, Texas

Main (Downtown) Library 501 N Oregon entrance. The Downtown ...

El Paso Public Library Downtown Branch

The El Paso Public Library serves the needs the public in El ...

2013 Fan Fiesta

Judson F. Williams Convention Center

home.search_collection