Photograph from the 1920 Peace and Progress Excursion

Photograph from the 1920 Peace and Progress Excursion

Peace and Progress Excursion to Mexico City, photo album 1920 59-341-1 In 1909, the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico was integrated into the greater Pacific Railroad in the United States. Railway operations increased travel from Mazatlán, Sinaloa in Southern Mexico to Nogales, Sonora in Northern Mexico, connecting with the Sunset Route in southwest United States directly into Arizona. This allowed railway travel to transcend borders causing a greater influx of people, goods, and commerce between the U.S. and Mexico. Making use of the newly connected railways, Mexican President Álvaro Obregón visited El Paso the first week of October in 1920 on his way to the International Fair in Dallas, Texas. He expressed his aspirations for international friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries. As a result of Obregon’s visit the “Paz y Progreso” or “Peace and Progress” Excursions were commissioned by the Confederation of Chamber of Commerce. On October 10, 1920, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce set out for Mexico City by train. The trip entailed visiting a number of smaller towns on the way to Mexico City, such as Zacatecas and Aguascalientes. In January of 1921, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Peace and Progress Excursion traveled through California to Mexico by train to meet with President Álvaro Obregón. The Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico was eventually sold to the Mexican government in 1951. The railroad boom of the 19th century ushered in a new and tranformative era for transportation, technology, and economy in America—one that swept the Paso del Norte region along with it. As the railroad industry flourished, El Paso began cultivating a unique economy and culture, one heavily influenced by its location along the border and the route between four major cities (Mexico City, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and San Antonio). True to its name, El Paso became a gateway for the Southern half of the United States. In Tracks Across the Desert, we explore the people, groups, and railroad giants that shaped El Paso into the city it is today. This exhibit is generously funded by Union Pacific.

Area: Out of Area / Out of Area

Source: El Paso Museum of History

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History

Comments

Add a comment
Thank you for your comment

Report this entry

Choose the most important reason for this report

Your name

Your email address

Optional detail

Thank you for your report

More from the same community-collection

Sunset at White Sands - 2015

The White Sands National Monument is a U.S. National Monument ...

Texas Western Team at the White House 2006

White House Celebration for the Texas Western 1966 Champions.

Texas Western NCAA Basketball Champions

Orsten Artis carries championship trophy

Lauren Barlow Water Polo

Lauren Barlow Water Polo , Hanford , California

Joe Gomez with Harry Flurnoy

Basketball Hall of Fame with Harry Flournoy

Joe Gomez with Harry Flournoy

Basketball Hall of Fame with Harry Flournoy

Pedro Gomez with Peter, Jr.

Father and Son Pedro and Pete Gomez

Me throwing the first pitch at a Chihuahuas game

I was selected to throw the first pitch in a Chihuahuas game. ...

Bowie High School

Bowie High School 1947 reunion, in West Covina California. 6215 ...

Norma and Carmen Gomez, my sisters

Sunday Best for Church, Norma and Carmen Gomez

Transmission Line Construction

Helicopter assists in the construction of Springerville ...

Joe Gomez High School Photo

Junior at Nurnberg High School - Joe Gomez - from El Paso, ...

Joe Gomez with brother and sisters

Joe Gomez with brother and sisters

Joe Gomez First Grade Catholic School

First Grade Catholic School for Joe Gomez in the 1950's.

Joe Gomez at Soldiers Field

Joe Gomez at Soldiers Field , Nurnberg , Germany

Joe Gomez Third Grade

Joe Gomez Third Grade Catholic School

Pedro and Norma Gomez

Pedro and Norma, Newlyweds

Pedro Gomez Military uniform

Pedro Gomez in Military Uniform

Pedro Gomez

Pedro Gomez in Korea

Pedro Gomez

Pedro Gomez, first car

Rick Kern's Vocal Show Band - Tapestry, with Guy Lombardo.

This picture was taken in Springfield, Ohio right after one of ...

home.search_collection