Profile-The San Jacinto Plaza



By Leah

🐊 San Jacinto Plaza🚎

The San Jacinto Plaza, not only a two acre piece of land, but a place for people to interact, has affected the identity of the city of El Paso. From the purpose it served long ago, to the historical significance it provided today, the Plaza continues to impact the way El Paso is viewed, and has gifted a historical location for the population of the city to connect. For instance, the San Jacinto Plaza was opened to the public in 1883, making it an establishment impactful to the community since over a century ago. The San Jacinto Plaza, opening opportunities for new establishments to form, brought in many people, making businesses such as the Plaza hotel and the Plaza Theatre as successful and popular as they are today. Its convenient layout and purpose have drawn much of the population together in one iconic area. 
During the late 50’s, my grandmother worked as a maid, crossing the border every day to take the streetcar to the Plaza and arrive at the home in which she worked. Although working as a maid was not her desire, dream, or hope, she enjoyed going to work every day. She says "Us maids waiting for our bus ride home, would find each other somehow, and I ended up becoming great friends with many of them, those rides back to Juarez after a long day of cleaning, cooking, and taking care of other people’s children allowed me to form new friendships with people I never would have met if it weren’t for the San Jacinto Plaza.” Not only did the plaza create an environment for lasting friendships to form, but it also allowed businesses such as the Plaza Hotel as well as the Plaza Theatre to form and be successful.

I myself recall visiting the San Jacinto Plaza. My most vivid memories of the Plaza are a few years back, taking photos with my family and friends. The spacious area within downtown El Paso felt surreal, too beautiful not to be a dream. 

Alligator Sculpture at The Plaza


The Plaza, Along With The Plaza Theatre
 








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