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San Elizario, TX

Frequently asked questions

San Elizario, TX

San Elizario is a city in El Paso County, Texas, United States. Its population was 10,116 at the 2020 census. It is part of the El Paso metropolitan statistical area. It lies on the Rio Grande, which forms the border between the United States and Mexico. The city of Socorro adjoins it on the west and the town of Clint lies to the north.

The settlement that became San Elizario was first established sometime before 1760 as the civilian settlement of Hacienda de los Tiburcios. The hacienda was located along the route of Camino Real de Tierra Adentro southeast of Socorro on the west bank of the Rio Grande. The hacienda was eventually abandoned by the 1770s.

In 1789, the site of the old hacienda Tiburcios became the new site where the Spaniards relocated a fort called Presidio de San Elzeario. It had originally been established in 1774, located farther south in the El Paso Valley near the site of modern El Porvenir. It had been moved north to be better able to protect the Camino Real and the towns to its north, Socorro, and Ysleta.

The town that grew up around the presidio took its name San Elzeario, or San Elceario (Spanish for Saint Elzear); Saint Elzéar of Sabran is the Roman Catholic patron saint of soldiers. After the Americans acquired the town at the end of the Mexican-American War, its name was Americanized as San Elizario.  San Elizario was El Paso County's original county seat.

San Elizario was incorporated several times between 1871 and 1911, with another unsuccessful attempt at incorporation made in 1986. On November 5, 2013, San Elizario residents voted to re-incorporate the town, having successfully fought off an attempt by Socorro to annex a portion of it, and San Elizario was officially incorporated when El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar signed an order of incorporation on November 18, 2013.

On May 10, 2014, Maya Sanchez, who led the push to incorporate San Elizario, was elected mayor by a wide margin over two other candidates, while Leticia Hurtado-Miranda, David Cantu, Miguel Najera, Jr., Rebecca Martinez-Juarez, and George Almanzar were elected to the five city council seats.

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, the city has a total area of 6.885 square miles (17.833 km2), of which 0.0027 square miles (0.007 km2) is covered by water.

San Elizario focuses on health and wellness. The San Elizario Health Center plays a crucial role in ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services, contributing to the overall well-being of the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the San Elizario Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. A popular option includes the YMCA. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around San Elizario, such as the El Paso Mission Trail, Ascarate Park, and San Elizario Placita. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.
 

Top sites in San Elizario, TX include the Old El Paso County Jail Museum, Los Portales Museum and Information Center, and Presidio Chapel of San Elizario.
 

Population: 10,138 (2022). Elevation: 3,900 ft (1,189 m). Area: 6.89 sq mi (17.83 km2). ZIP Code: 79849. Area code(s): 915. 
 

FAQs

What is San Elizario, TX known for?

San Elizario’s roots as a tactical military site on New Spain’s northern frontier are embedded in buildings throughout the town, in the form of adobe bricks salvaged from an imposing presidio built in 1789 to protect area residents and El Camino Real caravans from Apache raiders. Located on the Rio Grande’s south bank, in the area of an abandoned 18th-century hacienda once owned and farmed by the Tiburcio family, the site was selected for the relocation of a Spanish military fort situated nearly 40 miles away in Guajoquilla, Mexico (present-day Chihuahua). In taking on that fort’s troops, the new presidio took on its name—San Elzeario (also San Elceario)—in tribute to the French patron saint of soldiers, San Elzear.

How old is San Elizario, Texas?

San Elizario was first established as a town in 1851 and experienced several incorporations through 1911. The town was disincorporated for the last time in 1920. A few more attempts to incorporate it in modern times were unsuccessful. Until 2013.

What are the demographics of San Elizario, TX?

San Elizario, TX is home to a population of 10k people, of which 77.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 33.6% of San Elizario, TX residents were born outside of the country (3.37k people). In 2021, there were 1.57 times more White (Hispanic) residents (4.73k people) in San Elizario, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.01k Two+ (Hispanic) and 2.07k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of San Elizario

San Elizario Health Center 

EP County Parks

YMCA

El Paso Mission Trail

Ascarate Park 

San Elizario Placita

Old El Paso County Jail Museum 

Los Portales Museum and Information Center 

Presidio Chapel of San Elizario

NPS

Data USA

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