It was a warm, sunny Saturday morning when Concordia Cemetery opened its gates to the public for their 15 th annual Walk Through History .
On October 20, the Wild West came to life with historical reenactments of gunfights performed by San Elizario's Desperado's and by Six Guns & Shady Ladies. The morning began with Victory Warrior's Drill and Dance Academy then straight into the action.
There were over 27 actors, which portrayed historical characters in full costume. Tables displayed images of the past, including antique furniture, old photographs, frontier games for children to play with, several authors, a country store for memorabilia and a running railroad. Can't forget the great tasting old style hamburgers and foot-long hot dogs.
As the train blew its whistle and drove down the dusty trails within
Concordia, it passed tables of these reenactors telling stories of the characters they portrayed. According to the Concordia Cemetery Times, it was late in the 1880's that this private land was opened for others to bury their families and is now the resting place of over 60,000 "notable and not so notable citizens of El Paso and Juarez ."
Some of the notable citizens buried there include: The Buffalo Soldiers, Ex-Mexican Presidents, Gunfighters such as John Wesley Hardin, Texas Rangers, Captains, persons who have done much for the El Paso community and even "shady ladies."
Concordia is a Texas State Historical site and suffered damage from the flood in 2006. According to the Concordia Heritage Association, in 1990 "a group of citizens were appalled by the neglect and disrespect of El Paso 's greatest historical landmarks."
Through education and programs such as this walk, they hope to enrich the community with history and preserve such sites, as Concordia. This non-profit organization offered patrons a full day of entertainment and historical enrichment while also earning funds to restore, preserve and protect these landmarks.
Among some of the characters were Instructor Leon Blevins who portrayed Capt. James White, and his son, Tim Blevins as Texas Ranger, Karl Kirchener. Along side were several EPCC students such as Amber Contrera, who shared the story of Mrs. White. Laura Ramirez portrayed Juana Maria Ascarate Stephenson and Ruby Flores, as a school teacher, who led children and adults in frontier games like checkers, marbles and pick-up-sticks.
Some reenactors came from as far as Truth or Consequences, NM where these reenactments also take place annually. Jim Brannon, President of the Geronimo Springs Museum in T or C, portrayed "Brushy Joe" as his wife, Bettie Brannon portrayed Lucy Lou. They said they had been active for 13 years in Saving Orchard days and Geronimo days in NM, but this was their first time in the Walk Through History .
"I really like the amount of students that have come," said Jim Brannon.
As Billy the Kid strolled down a back street and Calamity Jane, a.k.a. "trainwreck" stumbled with her bottle and gun, the San Elizario Desperado's gave a memorable show.
Frank Varela, who portrayed Pancho Villa was suited with ammo across his chest as the actors took a brief break. This was Varela's fifth year as a reenactor.
"It's getting better every year," he said, "and every year we get a lot more participants. We have a lot of school participation."
Varela said it was a great event. "It keeps history alive and is a big fund raiser for the historical society which keeps the cemetery in shape."
