Graffiti art, next to Cinco Puntos Press, 701 Texas Avenue

Another great example of how graffiti art can add much-needed color to a building. Photo taken August 25, 2006.

Graffiti art, back of Downtown Motors, 1001 East Paisano

Neat graffiti art on the back of the Downtown Motors building, 1001 East Paisano. It's good to see that taggers give respect to true graffiti artists and don't cover their work. I'm not an advocate of graffiti, but this type really adds a lot of needed color in areas that could use visual improvement. Many don't see the difference, and see graffiti as pure defacement of property. There is a big difference, however, especially if the building's owner gives permission to graffiti artists to spice up their building. Photo taken August 25, 2006.

Marty Robbins performs "El Paso"

Found a nice video of Marty Robbins performing his classic "El Paso," a song which (obviously) is important to my city!

Marty Robbins - El Paso

De Soto Hotel, 309 East Mills Avenue

Very nice signage, De Soto Hotel, 309 East Mills Avenue. Photo taken March 24, 2006.

Vendor at Novedades el Abuelo, 111 North Mesa

A vendor at Novedades el Abuelo, 111 North Mesa. Photo taken March 24, 2006.

Lolita Bail Bonds sign, 100-200 block of Texas Avenue.

This one makes me laugh every time. "Lolita around corner." This is for Lolita Bail Bonds, and the sign is at the 100-200 block of Texas Avenue. Photo taken March 24, 2006.

Auto Loan Sign, 202 North Oregon

A fantastic 1950s era Auto Loan sign located at 202 North Oregon. Photo taken March 24, 2006.

Please contribute to El Chuco!

If you have a non-copyrighted photo of downtown El Paso that you would like to share, please email it to me. Please accurately note the location. Also note, any of the photos on this page can be enlarged to show more detail simply by clicking on them. These photos have have been taken with several sorts of cameras, from a camera phone to a digital SLR.

Old Lerner Store (Acme Saloon), 227 East San Antonio Avenue

The Old Lerner Store, 227 East San Antonio Avenue, is the site of the Acme Saloon and the beginning of the Parlor House District. The Acme Saloon was wood and adobe, and had a doorway opening to the bar. On August 19, 1895, John Selman walked into the Acme Saloon and shot and killed John Wesley Hardin, the Old West's most notorious gunfighter. A marker on the building notes the historic site. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

The Tap, 408 East San Antonio Avenue

The Tap, 408 East San Antonio Avenue. This is one of downtown's restaurant gems. With its red vinyl seats, mirrored walls and eclectic jukebox, this would be a great place to film a rockabilly video. I've had many a pre-concert (and post-concert) beer here. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Popo Bar, 426 South Mesa Street

Great type on this sign for Popo Bar, 426 South Mesa Street. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Eva Unitel Sales, 515 South Stanton Street

Mannequin head in the display window at Eva Unitel Sales, 515 South Stanton Street. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Mannequin heads, Diana Beauty Supply, 212 East San Antonio Avenue

It's mannequin Monday. More heads at Diana Beauty Supply, 212 East San Antonio Avenue. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Morocco Bar, 502 South Stanton Street

Façade of the Morocco Bar, 502 South Stanton Street. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

La Feria del Carnaval, 500 South Mesa & Third

Original El Paso trolley, now the home of La Feria del Carnaval, a souvenir shop located at 500 South Mesa & Third. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Joey Store, 200 East San Antonio Avenue

Wild mannequin at Joey Store, 200 East San Antonio Avenue. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Chico's Lounge, 209 East San Antonio Avenue

Great signage at Chico's Lounge, 209 East San Antonio Avenue. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Ceramic animals at La Familia, 305 South Stanton Street

Ceramic roosters, parrots and frogs for sale at La Familia, 305 South Stanton Street. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Caples Building, 300 East San Antonio Avenue

Detail of the Caples Building, 300 East San Antonio Avenue.
The building was named for Richard Caples, El Paso mayor from 1889 to 1893. It was El Paso's first concrete-framed building, and during the Mexican Revolution of the 1910s, it housed offices of several notable revolutionary leaders. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

O.T. Bassett Tower, 303 Texas Avenue

Detail of O.T. Bassett Tower, 303 Texas Avenue. The 15-story building was designed by famed architect Henry C. Trost and was completed in 1930. Note the Art Deco details on the elaborate entranceway façade. Photo taken March 20, 2006.

Kress Building, 100 Mills Avenue

Detail of the top of the Kress Building, 100 Mills Avenue. Photo taken February 2, 2006.

Plaza Motor Hotel, corner of Oregon and Mills

The amazing Plaza Motor Hotel was designed by Trost & Trost and is in the National Register of Historical Places. Photo taken February 2, 2006.

Cristy Bridal, 303 East Overland Avenue

Amazing mannequins at Cristy Bridal, 303 East Overland Avenue. Photo taken February 2, 2006.

Gateway Hotel, 104 South Stanton Street

The Gateway Hotel, 104 South Stanton Street, was used for a scene in the film Glory Road. Photo taken February 2, 2006.

Perfumeria Rachelle, 106 East San Antonio Ave

Great use of type on the awning of Perfumeria Rachelle, 106 East San Antonio. Photo taken February 2, 2006.

Italian Kitchen, 2923 Pershing

Vintage neon signs are disappearing all over our city. Here's the fantastic one for the great Italian Kitchen restaurant, 2923 Pershing. Photo taken February 20, 2006.

Boxing gym, Las Cruces, New Mexico

I saw this gym in Spring, 2005 — well before I even thought of doing a street photography blog. I think these paintings are fantastic. I believe the location of the gym was on Espina Street.

Texas Rasquache Festival, Texas Avenue, October 29, 2005

My daughter and her calavera Dad. Also, mojigangas (skeleton dancers) parading down Texas Avenue. Info about the festival: Rasquache link

National Bakery, 520 South Stanton Street

My wedding cake came from this old downtown bakery back in 1994. These photographs are from September, 2005.

Starting up soon

I've wandered the streets of El Paso, Texas for well more than two decades. When my office moved to the Wells Fargo building on Kansas Street in December, 2005, I realized it was an excellent chance to take advantage of photographing the streets of the city.

One of the most interesting things about our downtown is the signage. Much of what you'll see is the disappearing art form of painted lettering and representations of everything from food to hairstyles.

Religious bookstores, cheap housewares and electronics, sunglasses and bootleg T-shirts. It's all in downtown El Chuco. And I love it all.

I'll start posting pix soon. Thanks for dropping by!