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

Pancho Villa & his Wife, Luz Corral Villa

Mayor Tom Lea arrested Luz Corral Villa for arms smuggling ...

Eighteen year - old Tom Lea

Eighteen year-old Tom Lea departing for the Art institute of ...

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue Entrance, C. ...

Pioneers Mural - El Paso, Texas

Tom Lea in Front of Pioneers mural,1931

Santa Fe

Santa Fe, view across the Santa River southeast from Cerro ...

Santa Fe

Santa Fe, view across the Santa River southeast from Cerro ...

First Wall Of Giants

Mary Haskins wife of Don Haskins - famous basketball coach.

Indians

Tom lea, Indians, design for a decorative mural panel, 1933. ...

Lonely Town

Tom Lea, Lonely Town, 1937. Oil on Canvas, 24x34. Collection ...

Gus Momsen Family: Gus Jr, Rueben, Leo, Katie and Gus Sr.

This is a portrait of the Momsen family. Mr. Momsen established ...

The NoteBook of Nancy Lea - El Paso, Texas

Tom Lea's wife, Nancy Lea. Tom Lea commemorated her by ...

Study for the mural on the North Wall

Tom Lea, Study for the mural on the North Wall, West Texas room, ...

Charro

Tom Lea standing in front of the studies of the Charro and ...

Pass of the North

Tom Lea, Pass of the North, mural 1938. Oil on Canvas,11x14 ...

Tom and Sarah

Tom and Sarah Lea in front of the United States Post Office in ...

Comanches

Tom Lea, Comanches , mural,1942. Oil on canvas, 5'x13'17". Post ...

At the Grand Opening for the Second Wall of Giants

Former Farah employees enjoyed the reunion during the Grand ...

During the Grand Opening for the Farah Wall of Giants

There is so much to see and to discuss during the Grand Opening ...

Former Farah Manufacturing Company Employees

Former Farah Manufacturing Company Employees at the Grand ...

Third Wall Of Giants - El Paso's Mayors

Third Wall Of Giants - June 10, 2011.

Third Wall Of Giants - El Paso's Mayors

Third Wall Of Giants - June 11, 2011.

First Mayor - Ben S. Dowell 1873 - 1875

The City of El Paso was incorporated by the Texas Legislature on ...

home.search_collection