| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, San Elizario has been named Best Historic Small Town |
|
|
in the USA Today 2023 Readers' Choice Awards; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The community traces its roots to 1598, when Spanish |
|
|
explorer Juan de Oñate reached the Rio Grande near the present-day |
|
|
site of the city; the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro trade route |
|
|
between Mexico City and Santa Fe passed through the area, and a |
|
|
settlement named Hacienda de los Tiburcios was founded before 1760; |
|
|
in 1789, a Spanish presidio was established, and the town that grew |
|
|
up around it became known as San Elizario; formerly part of the |
|
|
Mexican state of Chihuahua, the town became part of Texas following |
|
|
the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Today, San Elizario is a popular stop on the El Paso |
|
|
Mission Trail and is home to such attractions as the San Elizario |
|
|
Presidio Chapel, the Old El Paso County Jail Museum, and Los |
|
|
Portales Casa Garcia museum; the widespread use of adobe |
|
|
construction and the territorial and pueblo revival architecture |
|
|
found throughout the town help to preserve its historical |
|
|
aesthetic; in addition, San Elizario features a number of galleries |
|
|
displaying the work of local artists, and the city holds special |
|
|
events such as the Art Market and the Billy the Kid Festival that |
|
|
feature gunfighting reenactments, live music, and other |
|
|
entertainment; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, With its rich history and characteristic charm, San |
|
|
Elizario is a delight for residents and visitors alike, and the town |
|
|
is indeed deserving of this notable accolade; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby congratulate San Elizario on being named Best |
|
|
Historic Small Town in the USA Today 2023 Readers' Choice Awards and |
|
|
commend all those who help to maintain the city's distinctive |
|
|
appeal; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the City of San Elizario as an expression of high |
|
|
regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |