America 250 Lecture: El Paso's Historic Chinese Community with Anna Fahy

From the 1880s through the 1920s, El Paso was home to the largest Chinese community in Texas. Arriving in a bustling and often lawless border town by 1880, they continued their lives as railroad workers, laundry owners, and shopkeepers, becoming an essential part of the city’s growth without directly competing with existing local communities. The businesses of the Chinese Texans often served many comers including local residents, travelling cattle ranchers, businesspeople and more. Their contributions helped to shape El Paso well into the twentieth century and continue to influence our region today.
Join historian and sociologist Anna Fahy on September 17th, 2026, at the Magoffin Home Visitor Center, 1117 Magoffin Avenue, to explore the stories, challenges, and lasting legacy of Chinese Texans in El Paso. Doors open at 6 PM with light refreshments and beverages available as a fundraiser for the Casa Magoffin Compañeros. The talk begins at 6:30 PM and will be presented in English, with staff available to answer questions in Spanish.