A History of Cleveland Square

1860- 1908

by Tarna BlackelmG.H.O.S.T. Chief Researchers

Heidi and Keith Wilden

Southwest General Hospital

G.H.O.S.T.Ghost Hunters of the Southwest and Texas

Short El Paso History

El Paso County was established in March 1850. 1854 A military post called The Post opposite El Paso was established

1955 a settlement on Coons' Rancho called Franklin became the nucleus of the future El Paso, Texas.

1859 Anson Mills completed his plan of the town, calling it El Paso. 

Cleveland Square 1860 – 1880

The history of Cleveland Square is one of Cemeteries, especially sincethere were three or four in the general area.

1859 - Simeon Hart owed the land west of Oregon

1861  He donated land for Confedrate Cemetery – Military Cemetery

Public Cemetary - across Oregon

Small cemeteries were scattered throughout downtown

Before Hart's death in 1874, he permanently donated present day Cleveland Square and Carnegie Square to the army for a burial ground

Historic Cleveland Square 1880 - 1888

Modern Cleveland Square is between Missouri St on the North. Franklin St. on the south. Oregon on the East and El Paso on the West.

1883 1885Land is empty - remains from the cemeteries has been moved to various

locations

El Paso around Oregon St. 1886

Cleveland Square 1888

Cleveland Square - Military cemetery Public Cemetery area

Government still owns the donated land – so nothing is being buildPublic Cemetery land has housing being built on it.

Cleveland Square 1893

The two areas that will become Modern Cleveland Square are noted as US Cemetery Reserve.

St Luke’s Hospital 119 Missouri St. Dr J Sheldon Horsley, Director

In 1894 President Grover Cleveland granted Lots A & B via proclamation to City of El Paso

Cleveland Square 1898

The Public cemetery lots are not full of houses.. Even though the future Buckler and Cleveland square areas are parceled out as lots. No hourses were built .

133 Missouri Home of Judge C N Buckler – in 1909 it was the Osteopahic Infirmery Run by Dr Ira W Collins. House is on the NW Cornor of N El Paso and Missouri. Buckler Square was named in his honor.

Cleveland Square 1900/1902

1900 1902

In about 1900 you see Buckler Square (where the main Library is now) and the area next to it (where the History Museum is) is still shown as vacant lots.

EL Paso Houses 1908 looking to the NW

In 1902 Providence Hospital, is still a hospital in El Paso today, had its roots in care for tuberculars. Originally located at 617 N. Santa Fe (Upson and Santa Fe). Dr. Horsley from St Luke’s help found It

In 1904 the El Paso’s new permanent Library was build with a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation along with public Funds. Built on the west side of Buckler Square, It was a dream come true for the Library assosction. At that time or shortly afterwards Buckler square was renamed Carnegie Square in honor of Andrew Carnegie.

Main Library ca 1909 That should be the Excelsior Hotel in the background

Cleveland Square 1905/1908Cleveland Square decorated for the presidential visit ca Ca 1908

YMCA built 1908-09, during the construction of the site for the YMCA human bones were unearthed at the corner of Missouri and Oregon. In 1980 more human bones were recovered from the same area next to Continental National Bank (601 N. Mesa).