Texas Blue Laws

General definitions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law  When you're searching, try various other terms such as "Sunday laws"  or "Sunday shopping". 

Borderlands Sources

• There are a group of articles that touch on this topic in El Paso's history, from the city's start, to the present day. 

Handbook of Texas Online

• Some mention of Sunday laws and observance of the Sabbath in the Religion article.

Library Catalogs

• EPCC Online Catalog

• UTEP Library Catalog

• El Paso Public Library Catalog

• NMSU Library Catalog (especially if you are researching a New Mexico topic)

Books on Reserve (list of standard books)

• Turning points in El Paso, Texas by Leon C. Metz.   On page 77 it mentions that Sheriff Boone on this date "shut down the town". Closed the prostitution/tenderloin area, all candy shops, cigar stores, ice cream parlors and grocery stores. Nearly closed ASARCO by arresting employees working on Sunday and even attempted to halt the streetcars.   So, there's a great date to start from in perusing newspaper microfilm reels.  Be sure to look a couple of days/weeks before and after this date.  Follow the clues!
   
• The Texas Blue Laws, by William G. Harper  is on reserve behind the circulation desk.

Password (Journal of EP Historical Society) and its Archives

Google Books

EPPL: Border Heritage Center

• >Call and ask the staff before you go down (915-543-5440), if there is an entry in their vertical file.  This is a collection of photocopied articles on a person or topic.
   
• In addition, check the newspaper card catalog to see other articles available. You would then have to search for the article in the microfilms, ask at the reference desk around the corner from the readers for help.

UTEP Library's Special Collections Department

UTEP's Institute of Oral History

Local and National Newspapers/Media

• TEXAS STORES OPEN DESPITE BLUE LAW; Vote on Repeal Spurs Action, Although Restrictions Are in Effect Until Sept. 1 By ROBERT REINHOLD Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: May 27, 1985. pg. 8, 1 pgs Doc ID: 118859776
   
• By CHARLES PHELPS CUSHING.. "PROHIBITION AS "BIG BROTHER" FAILS TO WIN FOR BLUE LAWS :Six Anti-Cigarette States Reduced to Two -- Both Sides Claim Gains in Sunday Closing -- Film Censorship Defeated in Massachusetts -- "Puritans" Still Aggressively Confident. " New York Times (1857-Current file)  [New York, N.Y.] 20  May 1923,XX5. ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2004). ProQuest.  EPCC Library, El Paso, TX.   6 Sep. 2007  Document ID: 105864132   Mentions Texas and has map of US with states identified as having many or few "blue laws" on the books.
   
• BLUE LAWS DIFFER GREATLY AMONG THE VARIOUS STATES:Sunday Observance Legislation Calls Forth Many Contradictory Interpretations   By HARRY HIBSCHMAN..  New York Times (1857-Current file).  New York, N.Y.:Oct 2, 1927.  p. XX3  (1 pp.)  Document ID: 96671907
   
• recent news stories on KVIA:  http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?s=4669315 (2006) and http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?s=2931826 (2005) According to the 2006 story, the blue law was passed in 1961 and repealed in 1985.

   

Library of Congress Memory Project

page compiled by Rachel Murphree
Last updated 10/15/2008