Pass of the North

Historically a major trade and travel artery for North America because it is the northernmost Rocky Mountain pass that stays snow-free throughout the year. Indians used pass long before Spaniard Cabeza de Vaca, thought to be first white man in area, crossed it about 1536. Juan de Onate brought first cattle into U.S. through the pass in 1598. Route was heavily traveled during California gold rush, 1849, and in later years important stage lines and railroads crossed Rockies here. Today the pass lies on one of three major travel routes across the continent. (1968)

Pass of the North is a historical marker in El Paso, El Paso County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 94 historical markers documented in El Paso County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 140 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.7879, -106.5268 near El Paso. The nearest cataloged historic site is Smeltertown (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Smelter Cemetery, Old Main, and University of Texas at El Paso.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5141005395. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.