Chamizal National Memorial celebrates Mexican-American friendship and goodwill.
It is a memorial to the peaceful settlement of a long standing dispute over the location of the international boundary between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez in Chihuahua Mexico. On August 29, 1963, after more than a century of arguing about who owned the piece of land that was created by the meandering of the Rio Grande, the question was finally settled by the Convention of the Chamizal.
September 25, 1964 ~President Lyndon B. Johnson and President Adolfo Lopez Mateos unveil a commemorative boundary marker at Chamizal.
The first thing to do is stop at the visitors center, located in the center of the grounds. Bilingual employees of the National Park Service are on hand to answer questions and to provide information about the day's activities and upcoming events. A video presentation introduces the park and its related history and culture.
The Mural
Visitors to Chamizal are greeted by Carlos Flores bold, bright depictions of the history and culture of two nations. Painted on the outside walls of the visitors center, "Nuestra Herencia", or " Our Heritage", is one of more than 100 murals around the city. The mural donated by the El Paso Junior League's Los Murales Project and dedicated in 1993.
Music Under the Stars
El Paso's mild summers night are the setting for "Music Under the Stars", a series of outdoor concerts held in the amphitheater every Sunday night, June through August. Bluegrass fiddlers, mariaches, big bands, Caribbean dancers; all might be among the acts featured during the lively evening concerts. Seating is on the ground; bring blankets or lawn chairs, and a picnic if you wish. The concerts are a joint presentation of the City of El Paso and the National Park Service. The best part of all this that the concerts are free of admission.
Los Paisanos Gallery
The visual arts of numerous countries and cultures, there are paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, and collage, are displayed in the Los Paisanos Gallery. The gallery is part of the visitor center complex.
Chamizal National Memorial is located in south-central El Paso, just north of the Rio Grande and immediately adjacent to the international boundary. Enter the park from either San Marcial Street or Delta Drive. A lighted parking area is provided on the grounds. Picnicking is permitted, but there are no over night camping Facilities.
Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial Drive, El Paso,TX 79905-4123 Phone: 915-532-7273
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