The Star on the Mountain is a famous landmark in El Paso. It can be viewed from the east for 100 miles from the air. Pilots use it as an orientation point. Citizens can also see it for around 30 miles from the ground. But what’s the story of the star? Here is the history.
Star Started as a Christmas Ornament
The El Paso Electric Company built the first star on the south side of the Franklin Mountains in 1940. In its first incarnation, it was only 50 feet wide. Back then, residents could barely see it on the Carlsbad Highway. And a storm blew out the majority of the bulbs after a short time.
Another star replaced it – built bigger and better. The new version was 403 feet long and 300 feet wide. It used 300 light bulbs. In 1946, the star grew even more, to a length of 459 feet. Its width was reduced to 278 feet. It required 459 light bulbs to light the star at that time. 1946 marked the beginning of the annual Star on the Mountain light, which became an annual El Paso Christmas tradition.
The star was lit every year since World War II, with some schedule changes. For example, during the 1970’s energy crisis, the schedule was reduced to save electricity. During the Iran hostage crisis of 1980, the star remained lit for 444 days. During the Gulf War in 1990, the star remained lit until August 21, 1991, in support of the US troops.
Star Now Shines Every Night
In 1993, the star became a nightly feature of the El Paso skyline. This was through a partnership between the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the El Paso Electric Company. El Pasoans are now able to light the star in a loved one’s honor or for special occasions.
In 2007, El Paso upgraded the star. The renovations included new wiring and light fixtures that protect the bulbs from weather and new white lights to replace the old yellowish incandescent bulbs. In addition, a computer or cell phone can now turn the star on or off by a radio-frequency remote system. This means a crew does not physically have to go up the Franklins to light the star.
In 2009, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce donated the star to the city government. The star now shines bright every night, and El Paso is proud of being the “Star City” in Texas.
Do you have any information on the origin of the Cross on the Mountain?
Sierra de Cristo Rey
General Entry
SIERRA DE CRISTO REY.The Sierra de Cristo Rey is located one quarter mile north of the United States-Mexico border and one mile west of the Rio Grande and El Paso, Texas, in southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico (at 31°47′ N, 106°33′ W). At an elevation of 4,675 feet above sea level, it rises some 815 feet above the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks ½ mile to the north. Father Lourdes F. Costa, an El Paso priest, had the idea to erect a cross and statue of Christ at the top, giving the mountain its name, which means “mountain of Christ the king” in Spanish. The statue was dedicated on October 29, 1939.