Sketch by E L Boone 1922 El Paso Texas
PICTORIAL OF EARLY EL PASO
Hendrik "Henry" Van Bruggen came to America from Groningen in The Netherlands, once in the late 1800s and again in early 1900s. He was first in Chicago, then he migrated to El Paso, Texas. He became a baker's apprentice for The El Paso Bakery and later opened his own restaurant at 3409 Alameda. He and his family resided at 3411 Alameda. They also resided at 3605 Monroe & 3624 Jefferson. Henry and his wife, Cornelia Boersema, had one child, Anna Cozette, born 1912. Anna attended Aoy Grade School and was as fluent in Spanish as she was in English. Anna married Robert Armstrong. These photos are from Henry's collection, some taken 100 years ago. Please contact Jan Parsons Armstrong if you have comments or additional information. Click on the small image to view the larger. Each photo is identified when you place your curser on the small photo.
Bosco was a popular cartoon character in the 30s. This is a drawing done by Martin Boersema, brother-in-law of Henry Van Bruggen. Martin lived in Chicago and made many trips to El Paso to visit Henry and his family. Henry died in 1945, Martin in 1952. My husband remembers them smoking their pipes, laughing, talking and drinking Mitchell's Beer, an El Paso beer.
The Mitchell's Beer ad, and all the items to follow, were found in an old magazine "Around Here, The Southwest in Picture and Story" Volume 2, Number 1, 1944. Price 25 Cents. Published by the Around Here Publishing Company, 408 Martin Building, El Paso, Texas. This magazine was in the Van Bruggen belongings. Some of the scans may be a bit tilted...I just don't want to manipulate this old paper any more than necessary.
