| Marker Text |
Originally platted as Satterthwaite's addition to the city of El Paso, Sunset Heights was one of the first planned residential subdivisions in the country. New York native J. Fisher Satterthwaite developed the area, which was named in a newspaper contest. Construction began in 1884 and continued until 1920. A central, diamond-shaped park was the terminus for an electric trolley which ran into the central business district. Recognized as the elite section of town, Sunset Heights offered spectacular views of the Rio Grande and Mexico, and boasted extensive landscaping. It was home to a diverse ethnic population, including wealthy former citizens of Mexico, prominent anglo-Americans, and many Jewish families. A number of homes in the district were designed by noted El Paso architect Henry C. Trost (1860-1933), including his own residence at 1013 W. Yandell. The works of other prominent local architects are also represented here. Most homes here are of brick construction, two to three stories in height. An adobe house at the corner of Prospect Street and Lawton Avenue is the only remaining example of its type in the neighborhood. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 |
