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South Central El Paso
South Central El Paso
Exploring El Paso's Old East Side
A project sponsored by
Search
Map of Murals
Where is South Central El Paso?
The boundaries of South Central are Piedras St. to the West, the Border Highway to the South, Ascarate Park to the East, and US Interstate 10 to the North. In 1968, the completion of I-10 divided what had been a cohesive area of town into two parts. Originally, the northern boundary was marked by railroad tracks that today are located north of I-10. Within this area, there are various historic neighborhoods, including the old East El Paso Addition.
Why is it important?
South Central is one of El Paso's original barrios, yet there has been little research on it. In the early 20th century, as the Segundo Barrio filled beyond capacity with new residents, families began moving eastward along the river, where they built their lives. Some of El Paso's most iconic schools are located there, including Jefferson High School ("La Jeff"). The history of this barrio has much to teach us about urbanization, migration, the history of education, and industrialization along the border.
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