XIITravelers

The Twelve Traveler project has been ongoing for several years now and two Travelers have been completed with Susan Shelby Magoffin near completion and Benito Juarez in progress. Other Travelers that are being considered are: Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and Estebanico, Governor Juan Moro, Bartolo Pique, Juan Bautista de Anza, Lozen, Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper, John Wesley Hardin, Pancho Villa and La Adelita, Lozen, and Teresa de Urrea. With the continued assistance with grants and donations it will be possible to see this project through to completion.

1st Traveler – Completed

“Fray Garcia de San Francisco – Founder of The Pass of the North”

Fray Garcia, Franciscan missionary, with the local Manso Indians built La Mision de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, now in Cd. Juarez. It is the oldest mission in the area.

Statue depicts Fray Garcia holding the mission’s lintel beam with a Manso Indian basket at his feet.

The 14 foot high statue was dedicated in the heart of downtown at Pioneer Plaza on September 1996.

2nd Traveler – Completed

“The Equestrian” – Don Juan de Onate

First Spanish colonizer of New Mexico who founded El Camino Real in 1598.

Introduced the first horses, Spanish language and culture and Catholic religion to the area.

The statue depicts Onate at The Pass of the North holding the document, La Toma, which declared possession of the region for the king of Spain.

Statue was dedicated at the El Paso International Airport in April 2007. It is the world’s largest equestrian bronze (36 feet high).

3rd Traveler – In Final Phase of Completion

“The Magoffin Family Santa Fe/Chihuahua Trail Monument” – Susan Shelby Magoffin & James Wiley Magoffin

This monument depicts the eighteen year old bride of Samuel Magoffin, brother of James Wiley.

She came across the Santa Fe Trail during the tumultuous years of the War between US and Mexico, keeping a diary which is recognized as a literary gem that demonstrates sensitivity to the Mexican culture.

The sculpture will depict Susan at The Pass of the North, seated on her travel trunk with her dog Ring, making an entry in her diary. A bas-relief (medallion) of James Wiley, famed trader and early El Paso, Texas settler, will be featured with the monument along with his wife Gertrudis Valdez. Site to be determined.

4th Traveler – In First Phase of Creation

“Don Benito Juarez at The Pass of The North”

Mexico’s greatest and only Native American President was forced to relocate to The Pass of the North (1864-1865) as a result of the French Intervention. In 1890, the people of El Paso del Norte changed the name of their city to honor him.

This monument represents Mexico’s struggle for political democracy and his country’s growing influence on the United States.

The monument will include President Juarez as a child as well as a man to serve as an inspiration to youthful viewers.

This monument will be located in El Paso in proximity to the international border as a testament to the ties between the two nations.