Marker Inscription
Resentment, over private control of the salt lakes in the region often called Guadalupe Lakes; in 1877 led to the El Paso Salt War which entailed the loss of many lives and much property. 1936
Historical Marker
Salt War (1936)
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
About this site
Salt War is a historical marker in San Elizario, El Paso County, dedicated in 1936. It is one of 94 historical markers documented in El Paso County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 140 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.5850, -106.2733 near San Elizario. The nearest cataloged historic site is San Elizario (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Los Portales, San Elizario Chapel, and San Elizario.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5141004501. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
History
This marker recalls the San Elizario Salt War of 1877, a violent conflict over control of the salt lakes east of El Paso that local residents had long harvested freely. After Charles Howard claimed the beds and killed his rival Luis Cardis, an armed uprising by Tejano residents besieged Howard and his Texas Ranger protectors at San Elizario; Howard and several others were executed by a firing squad that December. The unrest led to the reestablishment of Fort Bliss in 1878 and cost San Elizario its status as county seat.
Also at or near San Elizario, El Paso County
“Salt War” names 2 distinct records in El Paso County. This page is the historical marker dedicated in 1936 in San Elizario. The others:
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