Remember when postcards were the souvenir you brought back from vacation? Or what others brought back to you after a vacation to thank you for bringing in their mail? They usually had a picture of a famous landscape in the town they visited with the phrase "wish you were here". Postcards were a hit.

Postcards have a wonderful way of giving you a sneak peek into a certain time and place. For instance, this painting, that eventually became a postcard of downtown El Paso. However, this photograph shows a certain time in El Paso history.

The photograph is from 1910, long before the Anson Mills Building was built, before the Chihuahua's would call Southwest University Park their home and where you would occasionally see Pancho Villa in the city.

KLAQ El Paso logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

 

The photograph also highlights the comet that only shows itself in the sky once about every 75 years- Halley's Comet!

This particular viewing of Halley's Comet was especially close to Earth. The photograph is signed by W.F. Stuart who was apparently a portrait photographer at the time.

Halley's Comet was of course doctored into the painting, -not sure exactly when, nevertheless, the painting showcases a beautiful evening in Downtown El Paso in 1910.

At just a glance you can see the Wigwam Museum- which now serves as headquarters for Ghosts915, it was built in 1883 and began as the Fashion Saloon. Being the first saloon in El Paso with electric lights, the saloon, with gambling and brothel upstairs, quickly became one of the top five saloons in the city.

The word "Crazy" is actually a logo for Crazy Mineral Water- which according to their website: "Our all-natural mineral water has been making people feel good inside and out since 1881. As the only mineral water bottled in Texas, our water boasts loads of benefits that other bottled waters can only envy. Pretty crazy, huh?"

What a beautiful glimpse into El Paso history!

The 11 Tallest Buildings In El Paso

 

More From KLAQ El Paso