san elizario historic district

They've recently opened three museums in this historic town in the last year. We didn't have time to do much more than walk around because we got there before noon on a Sunday and had other plans for the afternoon. We mainly went to visit the church but they were having mass at the time and we didn't want to disturb them. But we did stay long enough for the shops and museums to start opening and wish we had more time. We first went on a self-guided tour around the grounds; there are 17 historical markers which tell you about the town. We listened to Al, the old jail museum keeper and tour guide, tell us that Onate first came through on the Camino Real at that location in 1598. We also saw the old jail which is the only one that Billy the Kid broke into, breaking out one of his gang. There is a restaurant and lots of art shops there as well. They are planning to put in a hotel soon. This area is well worth the time to visit, particularly if you get there when Al is giving a tour.

I came here by bus 84 on a cloudy cold day to try to finish seeing the Mission Trail, but the chapel was closed. However there were a few places open that were nice such as some galleries and the main museum. The merchants here are really nice and they are trying to make this place an art gallery hangout. I found some of the merchandise was a bit high such as magnets. The old cemetary is just a pile of dirt and the old jail where Billie the Kid broke into was closed. There was just one restaurant open. It would be great if all the old historical buildings were open and operative..

Nestled along the Rio Grande south of El Paso, this little community is packed with art and history. Be sure to visit the restored Mission (part of the El Paso Mission Trail) and nearby museum. About half the shops were closed on Saturday noon!! Call ahead for information on events, including farmer's market.

I enjoyed the billy the kid reenactment. The art district is beautiful and there is a restaurant nearby.

San Elizario is an historic village on the Texas/Mexico border. Originally in Mexico, the flow of the river changed and San Elizario became part of Texas. The Historic District with art galleries, museum and the San Elizario Mission church can be seen on a self-guided walking tour. El Bandido Cantina and Restaurant is a pleasant place for lunch with outdoor seating. The San Elizario Historic Art District has a well-maintained Facebook page with info on upcoming art events and festivals. It isn't on the walking tour, but be sure to stop at Licon Dairy for some of their famous Asadero/Azadero Cheese. Nice half-day outing if you are in the El Paso area.

I thoroughly enjoying pedaling to this exceptionally fine community, taking routes that will be most convenient for non-motorized travel. I also tend to begin my cycling well before Sunrise, timing my touring to co-ordinate a coffee/choco/brekkie stop as that golden orb breaks the twilight, blinding all roadusers who are going into the Sun. Absolutely, I will not be pedaling in that direction at that time--and the same is true when going in the opposite direction at Sunset. As a roaduser, I adhere to the rules of the road to ensure my own safety. However, please note that no matter how 'right' I might be, I don't want to be 'dead right' and will quickly abandon my 'right to the roadway', especially during those two most hazardous moments. Anyway, I will often see Sunrise while at a Subway, then be off. My route this time was a soon-to-be well marked Bike Lane on Yarbrough before turning East on Independence, a road South of and parallel to Alameda--a hazardous bike road, to be sure. The route I eventually pedal is Socorro Road/Mission Trail/Farm Road 258 to a turn South on the very small/residential Glorietta Road, with a great refreshing must-stop at Licon Dairy. Weekends always have the promise of FANTASTIC home-made cheese, discounted to sell fast, and I'm usually early enough to have my pick! Also, Glorietta Road is marvelous because it feeds directly into the San Elizario Historic Art District, and I always stop at extremely talented Maria Branch's Art cottage. Unfortunately, I usually arrive before this community of gifted artisans have begun their excellent work, and today was no exception. Fortunately, El Bandido restaurant was open--as if I wasn't already plenty stuffed with coffee, CM, & cheese! But the benefit to such an early appearance is that I pretty much have all of the gorgeous historic structures to myself. I especially like the veterans walk--I've a brick there, and if you are a vet, buy one for yourself; family members can always remember a vet with a brick purchase, and those funds go into maintaining this facet of our 'Hidden Gem of the World'. I am always appreciative of this lovely area--likely the second oldest such settled community in the USA, after San AgustinFL. However, to really take advantage of the area, you may want to arrive later, when the galleries are open, particularly on the first Friday of each month (17:00-23:00), weekends, and many other specific recognized times--just monitor the website/facebook. And be sure to follow directions--its rather far off the road. From I-10/exit 42, follow FR1110 South 4 miles/6kms; from Avenue of the Americas/Loop 375, follow Socorro Road/Mission Trail 6 miles/10kms East to Glorietta Road, then 2 miles/3kms South into the heart of this super-super-super stop; from FabensTX, follow FR285 West to San Eli, turn left at the light (FR1110) into it; ample parking is at the junction of Glorietta Road & Main Street stop sign. You can also take in Veterans plaza/gazebo, cultural center, and the Presidio. What's really good is that you don't have to go by bicycle--motoring is easy, too!

It was surprising to find such good art work in this small town. this artist colony has some wonderful artists ready to speak with you and show you their latest work. If you are in the market to add to your home collection you can do it here without breaking the bank.

San Eli is celebrating the "First Thanksgiving-1598" today when (in)famous Conquistador Juan de Onate and his entourage survived a Northbound crossing of the inhospitable Chihuahuan Desert, finally arriving at the wild freshwater Rio Bravo (Rio Grande to us on the Northern bank) del Norte. You can bet they were thankful, and the small community of San Elizario was born at the crossing. This historic district contains many authentic buildings, including the original adobe brick (quite exposed) jail from which Billy the Kid escaped, the Presidio (there is a difference between it and the other historic missions on the trail-you need to come and find out!), a wonderful plaza/courtyard/gazebo replete with numerous historical plaques, the Adobe Horsehoe eatery (currently closed), the Bandito Restaurant, art galleries, Cafe Madrid for INEXPENSIVE gourmet coffees/treats(8-8 daily, except Mondays, affable owner=Ricardo), Veteran's Walk Memorial ($30 for engraved red paver: Veterans Walk, POB 2009, SanElizarioTX79849), and a currently full irrigation canal to walk across. There is plenty of motorcar parking available, although you can also take a specialized escorted mission tour of what is probably the second oldest European habitations in the lower 48.

Situé à la périphérie d'El Paso, ce petit musée géré par un groupe de passionnés pour Billy the Kid mérite une visite.Lors de notre visite, une animation avait lieu avec reconstitution...très sympa où les figurants se prenaient au jeu des photos.Merci pour ce moment !