Welcome to Project Regeneracion—a journey through the vibrant history and resilient spirit of Duranguito and South El Paso.
1. To restore and preserve historic residential buildings for working families.
2. To support residents' civic participation and advocacy for their neighborhood needs.
3. To celebrate cultural traditions and heritage events that honor the community's history and attract visitors.
We envision a future where Barrio residents enjoy a quality of life that is safe, affordable, and convenient. City services and amenities are on par with those in other parts of the city. Residents can live without fear of losing their homes or being displaced. They can live near family and friends, cross the border daily, and reside close to places of work, study, churches, shopping, and other services—all within walking distance. These neighborhoods serve as repositories for our border heritage and will be preserved, protected, and celebrated.
The story of Duranguito is deeply rooted in history. It begins with the Manso people, who guided Spanish colonizers to the optimal location to ford the Río Grande. In 1598, the Camino Real, connecting Mexico City to Santa Fe, passed through this very terrain, two decades before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The Mescalero Apache Peace Camps appeared in the 1790s, leaving their indelible mark. In 1827, the Ponce de Leon Ranch was established, earning the title "the birthplace of the modern City of El Paso."
As the river shifted south due to early 1800s flooding, territory was added, now known as South El Paso. Duranguito became the First Ward when the city was organized, while Segundo Barrio became the Second Ward, including Chihuahuita. With the arrival of railroads in 1881, immigrants from around the world flocked here. Historic buildings in these barrios narrate captivating stories of Chinese workers building railroads, Mexican revolutionaries planning insurrections, and immigrants from Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond settling here.
The story of Duranguito faced a dire threat in 2016 when the City of El Paso voted to demolish about ten acres of Duranguito and displace its residents to make way for a sports arena. But after an arduous struggle, residents, preservationists, and activists joined forces to resist the bulldozers and emerged victorious. Project Regeneración was born, offering a plan to restore and heal the birthplace of El Paso and fortify the traditional residential character of this area.
1. Neighborhood organizing and advocacy to integrate residents into civic life and address neighborhood needs.
2. Acquisition of buildings by those committed to restoring and improving living conditions, increasing affordable housing to allow displaced residents to return.
3. Celebration of history, heritage, and cultural traditions through events like festivals, holiday traditions, concerts, dances, and artistic activities.
El Paso's history is incomplete without recognizing the significant role these areas have played in our community's development. We believe that present and future generations, along with history enthusiasts, share our vision for these neighborhoods to persist and flourish in restored and preserved states. We invite everyone to be a part of Project Regeneracion. Our border history will be richer for all of us as we continue to conserve the many historical contributions these communities bring to our border area.
We believe that present and future generations, along with history enthusiasts, share our vision for these neighborhoods to persist and flourish in restored and preserved states. Our border history is richer for all of us continuing to conserve the many historical contributions these communities bring to our border area. We invite everyone to be a part of Project Regeneracion.
Sign up for our newsletter to know about volunteer opportunities!
Write us an email to: projectregeneracion@gmail.com
You can support us by making a donation on our website at www.projectregeneracion.org/#donate. Additionally, volunteering your time, attending our events, and spreading the word about our mission are great ways to get involved.
Preserving historic buildings not only maintains the cultural and architectural heritage of the community but also helps in revitalizing the area, attracting visitors, and providing affordable housing options for residents.
"In the heart of Duranguito and South El Paso, we find the soul of our community—a place where history and hope intertwine. Together, we write the next chapter of our story."
“That’s impressive how easy you can customize this template. All classes are perfectly named
“That’s impressive how easy you can customize this template. All classes are perfectly named”
“That’s impressive how easy you can customize this template. All classes are perfectly named”
