San Elizario, Texas
Encyclopedia
San Elizario is a census-designated place
(CDP) in El Paso County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 11,046 at the 2000 census. It is part of the El Paso
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 9.9 square miles (25.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 11,046 people, 2,624 households, and 2,440 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,112.8 people per square mile (429.5/km²). There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 283.0/sq mi (109.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.33% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.18% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 97.88% of the population. Of those 97.88% who identify themselves as Hispanic, 95.02% identify themselves as Mexican, making San Elizario the most Mexican (though not Hispanic, see Mila Doce, Texas
) town in the United States.
There were 2,624 households out of which 67.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.0% were non-families. 6.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.21 and the average family size was 4.40.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 42.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,145, and the median income for a family was $20,772. Males had a median income of $16,689 versus $12,648 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $5,915. About 40.2% of families and 44.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.8% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.
, a Spanish
nobleman and conquistador born in Zacatecas
, Mexico, led a group of 500 colonists and 7,000 head of livestock (including horses, oxen and cattle) from southern Chihuahua to settle the province of New Mexico
. The caravan traveled a northeasterly route for weeks across the desert until it reached the banks of the Río Grande in the San Elizario area. The thirsty travelers drank the cool water and then celebrated with a Thanksgiving Mass and enjoyed a feast of fish, fowl and deer on April 30, 1598. This is considered to be the "First Thanksgiving" celebrated in the present-day United States. Oñate performed the ceremony of La Toma
(Taking Possession) in which he claimed the new province for King Philip II of Spain
or Rey Felipe II de España.
through Juarez City, Mexico then called Paso del Norte to Santa Fe, NM. Its close proximity to the Ysleta and Socorro missions also provided protection for them.
When Mexico
became independent from Spain
in 1821, the military presence at the presidio decreased. By 1848, the presidio had fallen into ruins. Rebuilding efforts began in 1853, with a small church. This proved inadequate and the present structure was completed in 1882. The exterior appearance has changed very little since then.
The wedding scene for the movie Fandango
(1985) was filmed in the plaza of the San Elizario church.
, broke out between the town and a troop of Texas Rangers. The Rangers surrendered, but the state removed the county seat to El Paso and the railroad was not built through the town. Historians believe the gun fight was racial in nature between the local Hispanic
majority and African American
mine workers versus the European American
county officials.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in El Paso County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 11,046 at the 2000 census. It is part of the El Paso
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
El Paso metropolitan area
The El Paso Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – El Paso – in far West Texas, anchored by the city of El Paso...
.
Geography
San Elizario is located at 31°34′58"N 106°15′57"W (31.582873, -106.265703)right next to the river.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 9.9 square miles (25.6 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,046 people, 2,624 households, and 2,440 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,112.8 people per square mile (429.5/km²). There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 283.0/sq mi (109.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.33% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 97.88% of the population. Of those 97.88% who identify themselves as Hispanic, 95.02% identify themselves as Mexican, making San Elizario the most Mexican (though not Hispanic, see Mila Doce, Texas
Mila Doce, Texas
Mila Doce is a census-designated place in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,907 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
) town in the United States.
There were 2,624 households out of which 67.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.0% were non-families. 6.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.21 and the average family size was 4.40.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 42.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,145, and the median income for a family was $20,772. Males had a median income of $16,689 versus $12,648 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $5,915. About 40.2% of families and 44.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.8% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.
The First Thanksgiving
In 1598, Don Juan de OñateJuan de Oñate
Don Juan de Oñate y Salazar was a Spanish explorer, colonial governor of the New Spain province of New Mexico, and founder of various settlements in the present day Southwest of the United States.-Biography:...
, a Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
nobleman and conquistador born in Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Zacatecas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas....
, Mexico, led a group of 500 colonists and 7,000 head of livestock (including horses, oxen and cattle) from southern Chihuahua to settle the province of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The caravan traveled a northeasterly route for weeks across the desert until it reached the banks of the Río Grande in the San Elizario area. The thirsty travelers drank the cool water and then celebrated with a Thanksgiving Mass and enjoyed a feast of fish, fowl and deer on April 30, 1598. This is considered to be the "First Thanksgiving" celebrated in the present-day United States. Oñate performed the ceremony of La Toma
La Toma
La Toma was a legal declaration made by Don Juan de Oñate on 30 April 1598 in present-day San Elizario, Texas. It stated that Spain was taking possession of all territory north of the Rio Grande River for King Philip II of Spain...
(Taking Possession) in which he claimed the new province for King Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
or Rey Felipe II de España.
San Elizario Chapel
San Elizario Chapel, as known as La Capilla de San Elcear, was never a mission, but it functioned as a presidio chapel. It provided the religious needs of a presidio or an outpost of military personnel. The presidio was moved to the present site in 1789, to protect travelers and settlers along the Camino Real (Royal Highway) which ran from Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
through Juarez City, Mexico then called Paso del Norte to Santa Fe, NM. Its close proximity to the Ysleta and Socorro missions also provided protection for them.
When Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
became independent from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1821, the military presence at the presidio decreased. By 1848, the presidio had fallen into ruins. Rebuilding efforts began in 1853, with a small church. This proved inadequate and the present structure was completed in 1882. The exterior appearance has changed very little since then.
The wedding scene for the movie Fandango
Fandango (1985 film)
Fandango is a 1985 American film directed by Kevin Reynolds.It was originally a 30-minute black and white student film titled "Proof" made by Reynolds while he was attending USC film school. It was a parody of Greek life at his alma mater Baylor University...
(1985) was filmed in the plaza of the San Elizario church.
Salt War
In 1877 a conflict, the Salt WarSan Elizario Salt War
The San Elizario Salt War, also known as the Salinero Revolt or the El Paso Salt War, was an extended and complex political, social and military conflict over ownership and control of immense salt lakes at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas...
, broke out between the town and a troop of Texas Rangers. The Rangers surrendered, but the state removed the county seat to El Paso and the railroad was not built through the town. Historians believe the gun fight was racial in nature between the local Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
majority and African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
mine workers versus the European American
European American
A European American is a citizen or resident of the United States who has origins in any of the original peoples of Europe...
county officials.