Last updated: October 26, 2024
Place
Old Bowie High School
NPS Employee Izzy Sanchez
Quick Facts
Location:
Segundo Barrio, South El Paso, Texas, Cotton Ave and 7th St
Significance:
Loscation of the signing of the Chamizal Treaty
Bowie is one of the oldest schools in El Paso, Texas. Bowie celebrated 100 years of serving the the Segundo Barrio community in 2022. Bowie, turned grammer school to high school, opened in 1922 to serve, the mostly populated, Mexican- American community in South El Paso. Bowie would gradually grow with the addition of a Junior high school campus. With the school's positive growth in the community and in population, it was clear there was a need for a new building . In 1941, the new school opened and is the building you see today that is located at the corner of Cotton Avenue and Seventh Street . In 1949 Bowie High School won a 2A Texas State Championship.
In the 1960’s Bowie, would become a meeting point in El Paso, that would put the Chamizal issue to rest. President Lyndon B Johnson and President Adolfo Lopez Mateos met at Bowie to sign the Chamizal Treaty that resolved the 100 year border dispute between the United States and Mexico. The treaty outlined the land exchange between the two countries. The 193 acres that went to the United States, was split between today’s, Bridge of the Americas, Chamizal National Memorial, and the new Bowie High School, located on San Marcial Street.
Today, Old Bowie High School is now Guillen Middle School. The school is named after a Bowie High School alumi, Ambrosio Guillen, who fought in the Korean War and recieved the Medal Of Honor. If you find yourself cruising through the Segundo Barrio, stop by so you may see the archetecture and layout of the historic school, as well as, taking the time to read the Texas Historical Commision signage.
In the 1960’s Bowie, would become a meeting point in El Paso, that would put the Chamizal issue to rest. President Lyndon B Johnson and President Adolfo Lopez Mateos met at Bowie to sign the Chamizal Treaty that resolved the 100 year border dispute between the United States and Mexico. The treaty outlined the land exchange between the two countries. The 193 acres that went to the United States, was split between today’s, Bridge of the Americas, Chamizal National Memorial, and the new Bowie High School, located on San Marcial Street.
Today, Old Bowie High School is now Guillen Middle School. The school is named after a Bowie High School alumi, Ambrosio Guillen, who fought in the Korean War and recieved the Medal Of Honor. If you find yourself cruising through the Segundo Barrio, stop by so you may see the archetecture and layout of the historic school, as well as, taking the time to read the Texas Historical Commision signage.