The Editor's Column : The Building of a City

By Ruth E. Vise

Ruth E. Vise Faculty Editor & Adviser

Borderlands begins and ends with articles on water – the lifeblood of the Southwest. The first story describes the wonderful hot springs found in T or C and their early use, while the last story details the planning and building of Elephant Butte Dam. Other stories deal with the building of law and order in the 1880s in El Paso and the problems, but also the advantages, inherent in a railroad town. Some stories profile early business leaders and the building of the economy as well as leaders of society who helped build the soul of the city. Students also researched those who designed timeless buildings.

El Paso Community College celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and I am completing my first year at Northwest Campus. I have found the students here just as eager and ready to tackle local history projects in their research and writing classes as they were at Valle Verde. Special thanks to Monica Wong and her staff at the Northwest Library for providing excellent service and encouragement to my students. Thanks also to faculty editors and colleagues Joe Old and Daryl Troyer. Enjoy your retirement, Daryl!

I am especially proud of Sunshine Mendez and Alaine Bracken for their enthusiasm and the long hours they spent researching, writing and finding illustrations and Armando Ruiz for completing the art assignments in record time. Thanks to all of my English 1302 students at Northwest and to former students whose stories appear this year.

Sincere thanks to the El Paso Times for its continued support of this student writing project.

To my daughter April who graduated with honors from high school in May 2001, congratulations on your achievements. You’re going to love college! Thanks for your many years of support of Borderlands.

We hope you enjoy reading these articles about the building of early El Paso.

Ruth E. Vise Faculty Editor & Advisor

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