Our Annie Londonderry/El Paso story teaches kids about cycling!

San Antonio and Magoffin in El Paso

When El Paso looked like this, a very special cyclist passed through the city on a grand adventure.  Annie Londonderry was the first woman to cycle around the world, and in 1895 she had the red carpet rolled out for her by El Pasoans.  They loved watching her cycle (it was the height of the Victorian bicycle craze) and hearing about her worldwide exploits.

We've showcased the history surrounding her visit to our region's largest city in this blog, and were most honored when Bike Texas used our research to build their new kids online game, Annie Londonderry's Big Adventure. This is an online educational module that uses technology in a fun way to teach 4th-6th graders bike safety education, digital literacy, and social studies including Texas history and contemporary issues. Click here to get to the game's home page. 

Our original blog posts used by the game are here and here!

Our Annie Londonderry / El Paso History Teaching Kids about Cycling!

San Antonio and Magoffin, El Paso

When El Paso looked like this, a very special cyclist passed through the city on a grand adventure.  Annie Londonderry was the first woman to cycle around the world, and in 1895 she had the red carpet rolled out for her by El Pasoans.  They loved watching her cycle (it was the height of the Victorian bicycle craze) and hearing about her worldwide exploits.

We've showcased the history surrounding her visit to our region's largest city in this blog, and were most honored when Bike Texas used our research to build their new kids online game, Annie Londonderry's Big Adventure. This is an online educational module that uses technology in a fun way to teach 4th-6th graders bike safety education, digital literacy, and social studies including Texas history and contemporary issues. Click here to get to the game's home page. 

Our original blog posts used by the game are here and here!

Downtown El Paso Parade, 1890s

Downtown El Paso, 1890s, click on the photo for a closer look!



Wagons and horses, folks watching from the balconies, parasols and hats, there's lots to see in this parade photo from the 1890s.  In the center, El Paso's downtown plaza, in center back, the Vendome Hotel.

We just love this photo of downtown El Paso, found for us by the El Paso County Historical Society for our social media storytelling project in June.  From time to time, we collect content about true stories in our region--in this case, the story of the first woman to ride her bicycle around the world and her visit during that trip to El Paso in 1895--and share them with all of you on the Daily Photo, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed.  The Vendome Hotel was where Annie Londonderry stayed while in El Paso!

We'll be sharing more stories this year on our social media channel, including right here on the Daily Photo...look for "Dining Along Historic Highways,"  the "Craft of Boot Making," and "the Civilian Conservation Corps," coming up!

Annie Londonderry Speaks at El Paso's McGinty Gardens, 1895

El Paso's McGinty Gardens around the time of Londonderry's visit, photo: El Paso Historical Society archives

In late June and early July 1895, El Paso was abuzz about cycling.  Famed cyclist Annie Londonderry was in town, as part of her trip around the world; she was the first woman to do that ride, and El Paso was one of her "champion" cities.  Here's a clip from the El Paso Herald, July 2, 1895.

click on the image to get a closer view

At the time, the McGinty Gardens was a popular place for public programs and concerts.  The Gardens was in what is now the Sunset Heights neighborhood in El Paso.  The site was leveled to provide fill dirt for the construction of Union Station near downtown.  More from the 1895 El Paso Herald article covering Londonderry's public address below:

Click on the image to get a closer view

click on the image to get a closer view

Click on the image to get a closer view

Dan Baeza Week Begins!

Hotel El Capitan sign by Dan Baeza
DanBaeza.com

Earlier this summer we were most fortunate to host a talented photographer, Dan Baeza, in an internship with the Texas Mountain Trail and the Clark Hotel Museum in Van Horn.  Dan did terrific work for both entities during his quick three week stint, including building the Museum's first-ever website, www.clarkhotelmuseum.com and working on several social media projects for the Trail.  This is the start of an entire week of images shot by Dan during his internship...stay tuned and enjoy the entire week!

The Hotel El Capitan is one of the region's beautifully restored historic hotels.  Built in 1930 by Trost and Trost, it was one of five in the Gateway Hotel chain in west Texas and eastern New Mexico.  It was a cattleman's hotel for its first 40 years; ranchers from all over the area bought and sold cattle in business meetings held in the lobby.  Today, it graciously serves visitors to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and other regional attractions, and travelers heading east or west on I-10.

BONUS!!
Cycling in 1895

We're also sharing a story from the Victorian era...El Paso's own cycling craze.  On our Facebook and Twitter accounts, we'll share photos, clippings and other content that tells the story.  Exactly 117 years ago, El Paso was awaiting the arrival of famed cyclist, Annie Londonderry, and the town was excited about having her visit the city during the July 4th celebrations!

From the El Paso Herald, exactly 117 years ago, from the front page on June 25, 1895:

An interview with Annie Londonderry, click on the image to get a closer view!

The intersection of Magoffin and San Antonio streets in El Paso c. 1890s
(photo from the collection of the El Paso Historical Society)

Past the July 4th holiday, we're telling the story of the cycling craze in El Paso in 1895.  That year, in late June, El Paso was anticipating the arrival of famed cyclist, Annie Londonderry.  Cycling was a big, big sport and pastime in the city as well as many other cities in the United States.  There was a daily, front page column in the El Paso Herald newspaper. 

Here are some clips from June 24, 1895:

Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes--Easy Pinery Station Trail

Stone ruins of Pinery Station

A place to rest along the trail and catch some shade

The Peak Fitness Challenge we launched yesterday incorporates hikes with historical significance ...and there's a variety of hikes for beginning to experienced hikers and trail runners!   We've called them Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes, and today's featured hike is the Pinery Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

This hike takes you to the ruins of the stagecoach station, where in September 28, 1858, the first coach carrying mail and passengers made a meal stop on its inaugural journey across the U.S. The Pinery, named for nearby stands of pine, was one of the best stops for the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage along the line from Missouri to California, because of abundant water. The stop was used less than a year, as the route passing through Guadalupe Pass was abandoned for a more southerly route through Fort Davis.

This is an easy trail of less than a mile, with very little elevation gain.  The trail's pathway is easy for almost anyone to navigate.  

Join the Peak Fitness Challenge here, and "like" the facebook page for the Challenge to keep up on news, prize information and updates!

BONUS--1895 Cycling Story!

  Here's a little poem in the June 22, 1895 El Paso Herald ...a message from an Alpine cyclist!  

For more clips about the cycling craze in 1895, follow along on our Texas Mountain Trail facebook page or our Twitter account!  

We'll be rolling out the whole story in the weeks to come!   

Our Peak Fitness Challenge Begins!

YOU CAN REGISTER NOW!
(Since the website in in beta, we're inviting folks to use the Feedback button liberally...help us build the website right at the beginning.  Please send us your suggestions and feedback!  You're part of this effort at the groundfloor!)

The Peak Fitness Challenge, a free hiking program for Franklin Mountains State Park and Guadalupe MountainNational Park launches today, June 21^st   at the monthly meeting of the El Paso Hotel Motel Association.  A joint program of the parks, the Texas Mountain Trail regional non-profit, El Paso’s GeoBetty.com and PhidevInc.com, the Challenge encourages everyone from beginning hikers to experienced trail runners to get out on the park’s trails.  Participants can earn prizes for their accomplishments.

“Hikers can use the program to build their fitness and confidence levels to reach the highest peaks in the Franklins and the Guadalupes, if they want,” says Don Baumgardt, GeoBetty creator and publisher of the El Paso Visitors Guide.  “Participation is easy and free.  Folks can go online to register, log miles hiked and compete for prizes.  This Challenge is for regional residents and visitors to Far West Texas.” 

Information and sign up is available at GeoBetty.com/Peak .   Hikers and trail runners can compete as individuals or team members.  Participants may count the miles they log on organized hikes or adventures they tackle with friends and family members.  Everyone is invited to join the facebook community for the challenge at www.facebook.com/PeakFitnessChallenge

Planning for the Peak Fitness Challenge began last fall, when the new Superintendent of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and El Paso native, Dennis Vasquez, approached the Texas Mountain Trail for assistance in planning the park’s 40^th anniversary.  “The park had ideas for a hiking challenge similar to programs we’d been considering for some time,” said Beth Nobles, Executive Director of the Texas Mountain Trail, a regionally-based heritage tourism non-profit organization serving Far West Texas. “When we invited GeoBetty.com and their developer Phidev, Inc. to join the project and handle the technical aspects of the Challenge, the program really took off.  With the addition of Franklin Mountains State Park, we knew we had a winner.” 

From the beginning, the Peak Fitness Challenge was designed to encourage everyone to get out on our Far West Texas trails, including beginning hikers.  Adrianna Weickhardt, Parks Interpreter/Ranger at Franklin Mountains State Park, started Women’s Only Hikes earlier this year to encourage more participation at the park.  “They’re great opportunities for females of all ages who may feel some apprehension or fear about starting this new activity.  We cover the fundamentals of hiking, and we take a slower pace, starting with beginner level trails.  There’s an experienced guide along for the entire hike to lead them, assist, and answer any questions.”

To encourage new hikers, Nobles began a blog called, “One Foot in Front of the Other,” (www.onefoottostart.blogspot.com)  which features fitness tips and interviews with hikers, runners and cyclists.  The blog has several “Hiking 101” entries already addressing topics such as, “What’s a Trailhead?” and “How do I Find the Trail?”

Some of the trails are labeled “Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes,” to encourage participants to learn about the heritage of the Far West Texas region.  One trail runs past a historic stagecoach route, another was the site of a murder of a Texas Ranger.  The TexasMountain Trail is a regional non-profit heritage tourism and economic development organization, representing the six westernmost counties of the state.  It participates in the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Heritage Trails Program.

In the days after the June 21^st launch, participants may choose join hikes organized and led by volunteers or rangers at the participating parks:

Franklin Mountains State Park:

Make your reservation by calling:  (915) 566-6441

Bring:  Water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes/boots, hiking stick, camera, binoculars, a flashlight for the tin mines, a map and dogs are welcome on leashes!

Saturday, June 23 –“Couch Potato Hike” on the Lazy Cow Trail   

Start Time: 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Length: 6.3 miles/ 2 – 3 hours

Trailhead:  Meet at Chuck Heinrich Park/East side of the mountains (call for directions)

*Difficulty Level:  Easy to Moderate.  This single track trail is often used for mountain biking, but is a nice leisurely stroll as a hiking trail as well.  It is not difficult terrain to traverse, however, it is a longer distance and may be challenging for new hikers.  The plant and animal life in this area is readily seen and with the Franklins as a backdrop, this hike is beautiful.

Sunday, June 23rd– Mine Shaft Exploration

Start Time:  8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Length:  1.4 miles / 1.5 - 2 hours

Trail:  Begin on West Cottonwood Springs trail, then enter the mineshaft to explore and end on the Agave Loop. *Difficulty Level:  Easy to Moderate.  Rocky along some sections, with a few short steep stretches.  The exploration into the mineshaft is fun and easy with one initial short belly crawl through the opening. 

Friday, June 29 – Women’s Only Hike – Upper Sunset Trail

Start Time:  8:00 a.m.

Length:  2.6 miles / 1.5 - 2 hours

*Difficulty Level:  Easy to moderate.  We’ll encounter some elevation gains, with some short steep inclines/declines, a few rocky/rough sections, and great vistas as we walk along the ridgeline.

 Guadalupe Mountains National Park:  All hikes begin at 8:00. Bring water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and wear sturdy footwear.

Saturday, June 23-- Devil's Hall

Start time:  8 am.

Length:  4.2 miles roundtrip, moderately difficult, but very rocky, 3-4 hours.  Meet at the Pine Springs Trailhead near the RV campground.  Bring water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and wear sturdy footwear.

Sunday, June 24-- Smith Springs

Start time:  8 am   (2.3 miles roundtrip, moderately difficult, 2 hours) Meet at the Frijole Ranch Trailhead.  Bring water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and wear sturdy footwear.

Sunday, July 1--McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin

Start time:  8 am (4.8 miles round trip, moderately difficult, 3-4 hours) Meet at the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead.  Bring water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and wear sturdy footwear.


BONUS---1895 Cycling Story! 

 Follow along on our Texas Mountain Trail facebook page for clips, photos, and insight into cycling in 1895 as El Paso gets ready for the arrival of famed cyclist, Annie Londonderry!

We'll be rolling out the story exactly 117 years after the fact, with clippings from the El Paso Herald from June and July 1895.  

You'll learn all about the cycling craze at the time women were JUST starting to get out on bicycles and JUST starting to wear bloomers! 

And you'll see that cycling hasn't changed much in several ways...there were concerns about road conditions and safety.

And you'll see that El Paso was completely enthralled in Annie Londonderry's story (though there was at least one NOTABLE exception) and thoroughly enjoyed her visit during the July 4th holiday in 1895.  Follow along and join the fun!  

Starting Tomorrow: Telling the Story of Cycling in 1895 in West Texas!

There were several shops in El Paso selling bicycles in 1895!

 Click on the clipping to get a closer view!

One of our friends, Melissa Sargent of El Paso, rides as Annie Londonderry!

In 1895, El Paso--along with much of the country-- was in the middle of a full-blown cycling craze.  Over the next few days and just past the July 4th holiday, we'll share clips and stories of what it was like to be a cyclist in El Paso.  The city was waiting for famed woman cyclist, Annie Londonderry, to head into town. Annie was on her legendary trip around the world by bicycle; she was the first woman to do so, and El Paso was a city full of her champions!

Stay tuned here, and at our Texas Mountain Trail facebook page and twitter account www.twitter.com/trailgirlfor updates and images!