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With structural and decorative elements cut sharply into taut ashlar walls of granite and terra cotta, the State National Bank exemplifies the Second Renaissance Revival style with detailed precision and bespeaks the skills of Trost eloquently. The structure represents not only the prominence of Trost as a major influence on the physical appearance of the city, but also the presence of the State National Bank as an important financial base throughout the growth and development of El Paso

Experimenting with the new structural possibilities of reinforced concrete, Trost designed the Richard Caples Building. When completed in 1910, the Richard Caples Building held the distinction of being the first reinforced concrete structure in downtown El Paso.

Built for Conrad Hilton as the El Paso Hilton Hotel, the present Plaza Hotel is significant as one of El Paso's early high-rise structures from the office of Trost and Trost. The style is Art Deco, and the exterior remains largely unaltered from its original form. Hilton, born in San Antonio, New Mexico in 1887, rose to international recognition as founder of one of the world's most successful hotel chains. The Plaza Hotel, located at Mills and Oregon Streets, is composed of a two story trapezoidal plan block attached to a rectangular fifteen story hotel tower topped by a smaller three story central block. Construction is of brick and concrete. Decoration on the first two floor facades, extending around the entire building, consists of simplified pilasters, stylized geometric Art Deco spandrels, and polychromatic roundels. A simple cornice crowns the two-story portion.

Perhaps one of Trost’s most extraordinary examples of stylistic expression is seen in the Palace Theatre, formerly the Alhambra, the facade of which displays a delicate overall tracery of arabesques and Islamic script. This is thought to be Trost's only design in the Spanish Colonial style with Moorish influences. Trost's choice of a Spanish Colonial format with Moorish influence preceded the 1920's vogue for that style. In the 21st century, this building was renovated and is now the site of Bowie Feathers and Tricky Falls.

At one time the tallest building in El Paso, the O.T. Bassett Tower rises fifteen stories with a strong vertical thrust in the setback skyscraper form which prevailed during the Modernistic development of the early 20th century. An elaborate entrance detailed with Art Deco design elements is the focal point of the southeast facade of the ground floor. Included in this composition are facial representations, one of which is believed to be a likeness of Trost himself.

The hotel was designed by Trost & Trost and opened in 1912. This brick and terra cotta structure was the "dream hotel" of early El Paso businessman and promoter Zach White. Designed by the noted El Paso architectural firm of Trost and Trost, the structure was engineered to be fireproof and was modeled after buildings that had survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Throughout its history, Hotel Paso Del Norte has served travelers and tourists, has been an El Paso social center, and has been used as a headquarters for cattle trading ranchers. Numerous dignitaries from both the United States and Mexico have been guests here over the years. The large hotel lobby features a stained glass dome over twenty-five feet in diameter. During the Mexican Revolution, it was popular to watch firefights between the revolutionaries and the Mexican Army from the terrace on the top of the hotel. Some of the notable people who stayed at the hotel include Gloria Swanson, General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, General Alvaro O

This building was constructed in 1908. Designed as the luxurious Hotel Orndorff in the early 20th century, the Hotel Cortez is an elaborate representation of the Spanish Colonial Revival style with strong Renaissance overtones. The assortment of decorative elements skillfully applied to the tripartite format of the brick structure attests to the artistic genius of Trost. In keeping with the Spanish influence are three-dimensional busts of helmeted conquistadores and Spanish court coats of arms. The new Hotel Orndorff, commissioned by Mrs. Charles DeGroff for $1,400,000, officially opened on September 10, 1926. On June 5, 1963, President Kennedy stayed overnight at the hotel.

Constructed in 1909 and 1910, as the Rio Grande Valley Bank Building, the Abdou Building, as it is known today, rises seven stories above the southwest corner of Texas Avenue and Mesa Street. The Abdou building, with its stark appearance, exhibits the structural and decorative capabilities of reinforced concrete, a medium explored by Trost in the early 20th century. In 1925, Sam Abdou, a prominent El Paso businessman who was actively involved in many philanthropic and civic affairs, purchased the building. Under his ownership, the building was leased to the American Trust and Savings Bank, of which he was director. Although this bank defaulted during the depression, Abdou remained at his post and personally saw that depositors were reimbursed for the funds that they had deposited.

The Alcázar basement was used by its owners lke and Frank Alderete in 1915 to store weapons for the Huertistas.

In this episode of the Visit El Paso Podcast, we talk about the USBC Open Championships happening now till July 12, 2015. We'll also discuss the "El Paso. It's All Good." movement and a few can't miss events for March 2015. Outro song is 'Love Don't Pay The Bills' by the Joe Barron Band. www.VisitElPaso.com

Hello. Welcome to our tour of the architectural masterpieces of the firm Trost & Trost in downtown El Paso. The reasons why the Trosts chose to settle permanently in El Paso are clear enough. Ever since the arrival of the railroad in 1881, the population of the city had been exploding. What was once a small and unruly frontier outpost was rapidly transforming into a sophisticated modern metropolis. In 1890 the community counted just over 10,000 inhabitants, but by the time the Trosts arrived the population had already doubled. Thanks in large part to the railroad, El Paso soon developed into an important center for cattle, mining, banking, hotels, and garment manufacture. During the Mexican Revolution, between 1910 and 1920, thousands of new immigrants crossed the border, and soon El Paso was one of the largest American cities between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean. Henry was not only skilled at designing architecture in the Chicago and Mission styles, but also in the Neoclassical, Federal, Ge

In this episode of the Visit El Paso Podcast, we interview Mike Coulter about the El Paso Marathon, happening on February 22, 2015. We'll also discuss the "El Paso. It's All Good." movement and a few can't miss events for the end of January. Outro song is 'Damage Control' by Soul Parade.

Socorro (help), took its name from Socorro, New Mexico, from which the Piro Indians fled following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Records show that Socorro was officially founded during a Mass delivered by Fray Antonio Guerra on October 13, 1680. Socorro's first permanent mission was in use by circa 1691.At that time, Socorro was comprised of sixty Piro Indian families and fifteen Spanish families. The mission was built by the Piros under the direction of Franciscan missionaries and dedicated as Nuestra Senora de Limpla Concepci6n de los Piros de Socorro del Sur (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of the Piros of Socorro of the South). Many of the parishioners refer to their mission as San Miguel (St. Michael), in honor of their patron saint; or as La Purisima, in honor of the Blessed Virgin, Forever Pure. When the 1740 flood destroyed the original structure, the parishioners replaced it nearby. That second structure was also lost to flooding in 1829. Rebuilding was completed in 1843. Archaeological evidence s

Spain sought to protect its interests in the northern frontier by establishing a network of presidios (military forts). A presidia was built in 1684 in El Paso del Norte. In 1789, a presidio named after San Elcear (San Elceario), the French patron saint of soldiers, was established at the site of the Hacienda de los Tiburcios, located some thirty miles downriver from El Paso del Norte. The settlement that grew up around the presidia became known as San Elizario (a corrupted version of San Elcear). The presidio included a post chapel that served the soldiers and their families. The flood of 1829 destroyed the original chapel, which was rebuilt in the same vicinity. When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821,the importance of the presidio diminished. San Elizario gradually became a prosperous farming community and became the first seat of El Paso County government in 1850. The present-day chapel was completed in 1882. Since then, the exterior of the building has changed little, except for the front fac

Ysleta Mission is the oldest continuously active parish in the state of Texas, and the community of Ysleta is the oldest town in Texas .The town was one of several agricultural communities started along the Rio Grande by Spaniards and Indians after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The Tigua Indians, who were forced to flee their pueblo at Isleta, New Mexico, have since occupied the area continuously. On October 12, 1680, the first Mass was held in Ysleta, and a temporary mission church was built. In attendance were New Mexico Governor Don Antonio de Otermfn, 150 soldiers, Spanish colonists and 317 Indians, including more than 100 Tiguas .In 1682,the Tiguas founded Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, and by 1692,the tribe built a larger mission, Corpus Cristi de los Tiguas de Ysleta. The Spanish term, del sur (of the south) differentiates the southern pueblo from the northern mother pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico. The church was also called the San Antonio Mission after the patron saint of the Tiguas. This building, dedicated to Our

This very recently created mural was created with the message that despite the neighborhood’s difficult history, the people have stood strong and overcome their hardships. It does this through the depiction of two old Chicano musicians. The unveiling of this mural featured the musician Kiko Rodriguez playing Mexican corridos song.

The Palace Theatre, originally called the Alhambra, opened on August 1, 1914. It was designed by architect Henry C. Trost to be used either as a playhouse for live theatre or as a movie house. The theatre displays a Spanish Colonial format with Moorish influence, with the façade exhibiting a delicate overall tracery of Arabesque. Although it has been significantly altered for use as a nightclub, the original character of the building can still be seen.

In this episode of the Visit El Paso Podcast, we interview MCAD's Cultural Programs Supervisor, Ben Fyffe about the 7th Annual Chalk the Block Arts Festival, one of El Paso's largest, FREE events of its kind happening on October 10-12. We'll also discuss the "El Paso. It's All Good." movement and a few 'Can't Miss' events for October. Outro song is ''Sitting Alone" by Chuco Soul Project.

In this episode, we interview Nahum Avila about the 2nd Annual Sun City Craft Beer Festival, "hoppening" on October 4th. We'll also discuss the "El Paso. It's All Good." movement and a few 'Can't Miss' events for September. Outro song is ''Commonwealth" by The Black Coats. www.VisitElPaso.com

In this episode, we interview Doug Pullen and Eric Pearson of the El Paso Community Foundation about their annual Plaza Classic Film Festival. We'll also discuss the "El Paso. It's All Good." movement and a few 'Can't Miss' events for August. Outro song is 'Ska Girl' by Fixed Idea. www.VisitElPaso.com