Get ready for the upcoming Trails Gathering in El Paso, Texas from March 12-16, 2024! This historical week will be filled with exciting presentations and tours galore! Indulge in the history of the Spanish in the Southwest while learning about early El Paso, and arm yourself for the military history of the region, from Old Fort Bliss, Col. Alexander Doniphan’s exploits during the Mexican-American War, Whipple’s survey of the 35th parallel, and the lives of officer’s wives. Learn about available trail archives at New Mexico State University and the University of Texas – El Paso, and learn how to search records for women on the trails. And let’s not forget about railroad history, from its arrival in El Paso to the unwelcome diseases that often came with this faster mode of travel. These presentations and more await in El Paso.
When it comes to tours, there’s almost too many to choose from! One of our tours will take you to the historic sites of Mesilla and Las Cruces in New Mexico, while on our other tour you can trek along the Mission Trail, visiting the three beautiful Spanish missions in El Paso. That tour will also take participants to historic Evergreen Cemetery and the Magoffin House. As an option, you can follow up with a round of golf at the Butterfield Golf Course (where you will also see ruts left behind by the Butterfield Overland Stage, or you could pay a visit to the often-overlooked Chamizal National Historic Site. Book your rooms and pack your bags for an incredible week with OCTA in El Paso!
Rooms are now available by calling the Holiday Inn West-Sunland Park at (915) 833-2900 and asking for the special OCTA rate of $109/night (which includes a free cooked breakfast). To book a room, click here.
Registration has officially opened, so don’t hesitate to sign up! To register for the symposium, click here.