San Jacinto Plaza

San Jacinto Plaza is a historic park located on the corner of Oregon and Mills in the heart of Downtown El Paso, Texas.

Smith had bought the land from the heirs of its early owner, Juan Maria Ponce de Leon, a prominent El Paso figure, who had owned the spot since 1827.

By 1883, the park was surrounded by a fence, a walled pond was created, a gazebo was erected and 75 Chinese Elm trees were planted.

In 1952, an alligator named Oscar was hauled to Texas Western College and, as a prank, placed inside geology Professor Howard Quinn's office.

Seven months later, El Pasoan Myrtle Price donated two alligators named Jack and Jill to the Plaza in place of Oscar.

The alligators were finally moved to the El Paso Zoo in 1965 after two were stoned to death and another had a spike driven through its left eye.

Today, a fiberglass sculpture by nationally acclaimed local artist Luis Jiménez honors the original alligators.

The ministers said they picked San Jacinto Plaza as a revival site because of the need to cut down on evil, drunkenness and communism.

In the 1950s, the Plaza became a major boarding site for city buses as well as a pick-up point for private transportation such as taxicabs.

San Jacinto Plaza continues to be the heart of downtown El Paso, but like most public places, it has its share of problems.

For the past several months contractors have been working on excavation for irrigation and to add 10 feet of park on all sides, along with new sidewalks and gutters drains.

Which will include different amenities such as a full service café, a huacha court, reflecting pool, and splash pad.