XIITravelers

The history of the Pass of the North (El Paso del Río del Norte) is our city’s greatest asset. Through this narrow corridor historical forces swept into the Great American Southwest, mingling with Native American people and traditions to create the rich cultural and racial amalgam that is our region today. Our soil is testimony to the epic struggle of Native Americans, Old World explorers, colonizers, soldiers, outlaws, entrepreneurs and revolutionaries. The XII Travelers Memorial, conceived by sculptor John Houser, is a dramatic vehicle for acquainting young and old with our unique history. Famed El Paso artist Tom Lea Jr., who initially developed the Twelve Traveler’s illustrated book and calendar in 1947, gave John his support to further develop the concept into a sculpture project.

Through monumental sculpture we can raise these sleeping forms into our midst – dramatizing a remarkable history to ourselves and to our nation. In doing this we also create a tangible and true identity for our city that embodies the soul of our region. The monumental character of our history demands a memorial of monumental proportions.

The XII Travelers Memorial consists of twelve bronze sculpture groupings, commemorating the historical development of the Southwest over 400 years. It is the first regional memorial of its kind in the United States that also has international significance with Mexico. The first two statues, Fray Garcia and Don Juan de Onate were selected by the City of El Paso.

The board of Twelve Travelers Memorial of the Southwest is nonprofit 501-(C)3. It was created in 1993 to support project development and fundraising. It is an all volunteer board.

You can also contact us using this email address: info@12travelers.com