Hotel Paso del Norte, building in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Hotel Paso del Norte is a 1912 building in downtown El Paso blending Beaux-Arts and Chicago School architecture, with ten stories and brick walls decorated with white trim, arranged in a U-shaped floor plan. A later tower addition from the 1980s expanded the structure, while the original Dome Bar features a Tiffany-style stained glass ceiling divided into 17 sections with warm botanical tones and colorful designs.
The hotel was built in 1912 by Zach White, who sought to create a fireproof building after witnessing a hotel fire in 1892 and studied earthquake-resistant construction techniques in San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake. It played a role during the Mexican Revolution when guests observed battles from the rooftop, and later experienced gunfire from nearby border conflicts.
The hotel reflects the border culture of El Paso through its decor and atmosphere. Walls display images of Frida Kahlo and traditional Mexican charro dress, while staff members wear cowboy hats, creating a space that honors the region's mixed heritage.
The hotel is centrally located and easy to explore on foot, with shops and restaurants nearby for visitors. The building offers underground parking and features on-site dining options including a steakhouse and Mexican restaurant, plus a bar with an impressive glass dome ceiling.
The hotel features a deep basement well that once supplied water for fire safety and guest bathrooms, demonstrating early engineering innovation for managing water in a large building. This hidden system reflects the builders' focus on both safety and practical comfort decades before modern plumbing became standard.
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