Tom Lea standing in front of the Pass of the North mural - 1938
Tom Lea delante del mural del Paso del Norte - 1938

Tom Lea standing in front of the Pass of the North mural - 1938

Tom Lea in front of the Pass of the North mural, 1938 Often recognized as "the finest mural of the period," Tom Lea's 1938 Pass of the North has inspired generations in its depiction of the giants of El Paso history. The mural space measures 11 by 54 feet and was painted oil on canvas. "The job I worked on the hardest, and learned the most while doing, and took the most pleasure in doing, was the 'Pass of the North' mural for the federal courthouse in El Paso" - Tom Lea, A Picture Gallery, 1968.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: C.E. Waterhouse, photographer. Courtesy of C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, UTEP Library

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

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Mural is inside old federal courthouse in El Paso, TX.

Mural contains image of frontier woman. March is Women's History Month.

Evan Haywood Antone authored bookTom Lea: His Life and Work, published by Texas Western Press, whic cotains detailed description of this mural p. 32-33. This courthouse was renamed in honor of R.E. Thomason about 2015.

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