New Buildings.
Until some six years ago there had been no very great effort made to provide business buildings and residences on a scale beyond the point of bare necessity. Not that there were not many handsome and expensive structures, both in the business and residence districts of the city, but until the last half dozen years very few new structures were made to replace the old and ancient "landmarks" of the place. The ravages of fires on Front street made new and modern business blocks a possibility as well as a necessity, while the advent of electric lights, extension of water mains, the maintaining of miles upon miles of sidewalks, the growth of the city's handsome shade trees on every street, the excellent schools and churches, and numerous other advantages all tended to add to the idea of permanancy, stability and comfort in the upbuilding of the residence territory. The extension of the water mains and the putting in of electric lights in the districts of what was the original town had greatly enhanced the desirability and consequent value of the outlaying portions of the corporation. Very few cities not having a regular system of sewerage can so easily take care of home drainage of all kinds as El Paso. Both north and south of the city the land gradually slopes from the center, thus providing a natural fall and easy outlet for cellar drains, etc. In the line of progression a complete and ample system of sewerage will be one of the improvements which may be expected before many years have rolled around, or as soon as the necessity demands. When the actual need of any improvement is demonstrated, El Paso usually has a way of going earnestly to work to supply the want. The writer considers himself safe in predicting street paving along our main business thoroughfares ere long. A few who are more slow than others to see the possible advantages to be gained by municipal improvements will no doubt cry down pavements on the grounds that it is a luxury. A luxury it may be if you like, but some luxuries are also necessities. A great stride toward economy recently made by the city council is the putting down of brick for sidewalks instead of wood. Had this change been made years ago the city would have saved thousands upon thousands of dollars.
The boom struck El Paso less than six years ago. And when we say "boom" we don't mean the western mushroom variety, but the buildinq boom. So far as the population is concerned we do not claim any material increase in numbers. But it is in the growing number of more commodious and handsome buildings, and the general advancement in things moral that we are conspicuous today. While many new houses have been added, and there is not an unoccupied residence or business building or room in the city, the individual home circles are not so large as formerly. This may be attributed to the fact that people in general, the world over, are more progressive and ambitious than formerly. Instead of parents supporting a large family of grown-up children, the youngsters are now shifting for themselves in the large manufacturing centers. One other reason why the increase of buildings has exceeded the increase of population is the fact that many of our farmers have acquired a competency, erected homes in the city and moved in to enjoy a well-earned rest amid the advantages of closer church and other social facilities. Their farms are either rented or being conducted by the sons and daughters.
The pages of this pamphlet contain engravings of many of our buildings, a large number of which have been recently erected. Following we give the list of new structures which have been built since Feb. 11, 1889, when the present management of The El Paso Journal acquired the proprietorship of that publication, together with the list of improvements made in property already erected, where the expenditnre has been $200 or over:
(Continued on page 98.)
Page 96