City Tour of El Paso

CITY TOUR OF EL PASO

Ponce’s Ranch, Franklin Town and Smithville, were some names of El Paso.  Juan Ponce de Leon petitioned Mexico for a land grant on the north side of the Rio Grande.  Here he established his sheep and goat ranch later called “Ponce’s Rancho”.  He sold his ranch to Benjamin Franklin Coons and he called it Franklin Town.  When Coons got into finical problems the Ponce family reposed the land and sold it to William T. Smith and changed the name from Franklin to Smithville.  Smith sold the land to a land developer who changed the name to El Paso in 1859.  We offer an informative guided tour of the City, through the eyes of Conquistadors, Gunfighters, and Revolutionaries.  View scenic vistas of the Rio Grande, Mt. Cristo Rey, and other locations. We will visit the area where Don Juan de Onate crossed the Rio Grande in 1598 bringing the horse and wheel into what we know as the United States today.  Enjoy the short walking tour through historic Camino Real Hotel featuring ornate architecture and a priceless Tiffany stained glass dome.  Trek through Concordia Cemetery, this historical landmark includes an actual “Boot Hill” which is the final resting-place of Texas Rangers, exiled Mexican Presidents, old West Lawmen and the infamous gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, John Selman and others.  Enjoy a spectacular view of three states and two countries from high above the Rio Grande. (3 Hours). Cost of tour is $45 Adults - 18 and under $20.

 

 

A view of El Paso and Juarez.

 

Paso Del Norte Bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez

 

Franklin Cannel and Rio Grande on the right.

 

El Paso Street looking North

 

Old Red Light District

 

Sun Bowl at UTEP

 

Abraham Chavez Theatre

Grave site of John Wesley Hardin

Bridge to Mexico

Fence located on the west side of El Paso