This beautiful home was created by Mexican immigrant Rufino Loya Revis from 1973 until he passed in…read more2022. He worked for Levi Strauss and could not afford a palace for his wife so he purchased the squat modest "horrible" home and promised to create a place worthy of his love. Boy did he!! He taught himself all the skills necessary, worked tirelessly and created a masterpiece. In his works he wanted to honor his homeland of Mexico, his new home of El Paso and his love for the Lord. His designs, creations, colors and creativity are all displayed in a modest neighborhood of small houses on a corner lot that is visible from the highway. If you are ever in the El Paso area this is a must see before it's gone. The creator, master, artist and devoted husband passed away in August 2022 and the future is uncertain for Casa de Azucar.

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, this is a crazily creative and totally unique house. It…read morewas painstakingly and manually decorated with ornate hand carved cement sculptures and paint over a period of 25 years. It's a tribute to love! Rufino Loya promised his wonderful wife he would build something beautiful! And Rufino delivered! It's named the Casa de Azucar or the House of Sugar. Sweet love! Started in 1973, Rufino completed it in 25 years of effort! Rufino also respected the Catholic churches of his native Mexico, as there are religious inscriptions on the house. Pineapples, symbols of hospitality in Mexico, adorn the house as well! Life is good with a unique expression of love!

An incredible unique building dating back to 1937, the Kress Building originally housed a five and…read moredime business. Yes, this is the precursor to the dollar store! Now, it sits abandoned awaiting a bold investment to bring it back to its former glory! The edifice was designed by Sibbert with regional architecture and style in both concept and execution. Stalks of desert plants decorate the doors. Mayan sculptures resembling primitive masks adorn the balconies. There is also ironwork in an Indian motif. The bell tower incorporates Anglo, Indian, Spanish and Mexican cultures. The tower is also reminiscent of the Socorro Mission. The latticed walls are based on mosques in Muslim Spain. The intricate honeycomb is like the walls of a Mayan temple. Finally, the bell tower included chimes! I only wish we could see inside! To say this incredible building is "unique" is a major understatement. It's sad to see it in its current state but I sincerely hope someone will find a way to return it to its former glory! Life is great with unique, surviving history!

I come to Memorial Circle often to meditate and pay my respects for all who served. Memorial Circle…read moreis a good place to visit when in Fort Bliss and walking/running the parade field. Memorial Circle is also very close to Center Chapel One. All great locations to get your green on (meaning see grass and feel a bit more humidity) while in El Paso/Fort Bliss/ West Texas desert area.

Newly renovated and reopened after a 5-year closure! There…read moreare study rooms, a computer lab, an extensive Border Heritage area, meeting rooms, and tons of children's and adult programming.

A 5 star facility frequented by 1 star people... This has nothing to do with socioeconomic status…read moreor anything racial, but I saw a fight break out in the lobby the last time I was here. Not a shouting match, not a shoving match, actual punches were thrown, and the fact that the security guard merely asked them to break it up while these people's friends were trying to pull them apart made it worse. These people needed to be kicked out or the police should have been called, that's why I reflect this incident on my review. That aside, I hadn't visited this library since the new renovation, and like I said, the facility is great. They have a nice lobby area, which is not only perfect for cholos to fight, but they also have a coffee stand. The computer lab setup is great, lots of PCs available. The stacks area is brightly lit, which makes it a good place to study. And of course they have the most books since its the main branch. It's a real shame that security is an issue, particularly since this branch is the only one open every day of the week and is open the latest. It is a great library to visit during the daytime.

"It's A Great Day To Be A Soldier"…read more FBTX is the US ARMY's largest instillation, and a historic one. Situated directly on the border of Ciudad Juarez Mexico, this post was used for everything from border security, to tracking down the local bad guy Billy The Kid. And today, still serves as THE premier MFGI for mobilization, training and deployment of our GFMAP units deploying worldwide. FBTX stretches from its main flagpole in El Paso Texas, all the way to White Sands New Mexico (and, the military installations Dona Ana, McGregor Range Training Complex, Biggs Army Airfield, White Sands Missile Range, and a few others, all belong to FBTX and fall under the Bliss Flag. Hence being the largest installation in the world / Army). Home to THE 32 Army Air and Missile Defense Command (32 AAMDC - provides Air and Ballistic Missile Defense for every single location in the entire CENTCOM AOR, and small portions of EUCOM and NORCON), THE United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (the only one in the world), the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence (the only one in the Army - NCOLoE), the 1st Armored Division (1AD), Joint Task Force North (JTF-N multi agency CIA, FBI, NSA, DEA, ATF, FAA, CDC, CBP, DHS, USA, USN, USMC, USAF), Joint Modernizations Command (JMC), 5th Armored BDE - 1st Army Division West's premier MFGI host (5AR / 1A) providing the largest OC/T mission in the Army, and a slew of other units from Special Forces to William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC), the largest and newest hospital in the entire south west - civilian and military alike. FBTX is also constantly modernizing. Those that were here 2010(ish) or sooner, will not recognize this place. The shopping center (known as freedom crossing), is state of the art and absolutely incredible. The fitness facilities, the constantly updating and improving housing (honestly in 22 years in the Army, I've yet to find nicer on-post housing), and even the restaurants! There is SO much to do and eat on FBTX. This is a great day to be a soldier, and FBTX, is a great place to be a soldier.

Fort Bliss is a great post with many military school opportunities. For the past 6 years Fort Bliss…read morehas gone through several renovations including housing. Because housing does Rock there is a long waiting list but calling at least 3 months before PCSing here and patience it is not impossible to get a home on post. Day Cares and Before and after program for kids are top of the line. The PX Rocks. The PX has BWW, Nice New Cinema, Texas Road House, Under Armor, 3 different places to get a hair cuts, bank, Orange Julius, Smash Burger, Bars, biggest class six I have seen, pretty decent clothing and sales (if it wasn't for their sucky costumer service) game stop, wide variety of other restaurants to get a quick bite to eat during lunch .. etc etc. Fort Bliss is large, it is in the corner of Texas so you must drive for hours if you want to change the scenery a bit. Soldiers and their families complaint but as humans thats what we do. Fort Bliss has an affordable golf course. The soldiers activity center in east Bliss has a rock wall, Eats Bliss also has a large indoors pool for you and the family to enjoy. Two USOs, Two libraries, plenty of green like areas yet Below are the complaints but regardless of them I have seen plenty of people getting out of the military and stay here lol - Its so Hot, During the Summer, Yes it is. - Its so dry, Of course! its the desert. - Looks just like a Afghanistan, Yes it does why do you think our training remains to be here. - The traffic lights on post take forever, Mainly on main post. - FORSCOM sucks - Of course, here and everywhere. - Its so windy during spring, this is my only legit complaint, yup.. Mid Feb to April the combination of wind and sand .. oh my, you better wash your face. - There is nothing to do, This is no tourists city but there is plenty to do in the area, specially if you are open minded, like hiking, and you are planning to drive. - The barracks suck, most barracks buildings have been renovated, many barracks in east Bliss has a large kitchen and a dinning room/living room like area. Now, if you are on main post yes your barracks will suck, but hopefully this gets fixed soon. - DFAC Food - Its not terrible. Fort Bliss and White Sands are the largest training area in the Army. Its Medical facilities need improvement, currently a new and large hospital is being built in East-east Bliss but til that opens they need improvement. Overall, With the money the DOD provides Fort Bliss is doing fine.

Fort Bliss Cassidy Gate may be accessed through the gateway off of HWY 54 and will bring you inside…read moreFort Bliss Main Post near the parade field. Easy way to access post for any of the Historical Buildings. This gate does not have a visitor center, so to come through here, you need a CAC card, dependent ID, or permit to go through the gate. Cassidy Gate is my favorite gate, for it is open 24/7. The gate can get backed up but no longer than 5 minutes. This gate is linked to many historical facts, including being the closest gate to General Pershing House. Additionally, unlike all the other entrances, it is easier to use if you are a pedestrian.

I've been to the library a handful of times now and so far I've been really pleased! I set up my…read moreaccount and request for a library card online. Once it was approved, I picked it up at the library. So far I've browsed books at the library and checked them out, rented ebooks through Libby, and placed books from other branches on hold at this library. It's all been super easy! And staff has always been very friendly and helpful when I've gone it. It's a great part of the community!

The first library I ever went to in El Paso was Richard Burges Library and I pretty much thought it…read morewas the best thing ever because all I really cared about was if they had the books I wanted (which they always did and I didn't even know about the system they had in place where you can request basically any book). I never used the computers or anything like that, I was always in and then back out. Falling in love with this library can be likened to falling in love with Chili's. It's okay and certain aspects of it are more than okay, but better exists. Most of the libraries in EP have something unique about them whether it's the design of the entire building or hidden reading spots throughout. I do find the RBL a bit dull in that aspect, but by the same token it kind of reminds me of the school library from The Breakfast Club. The isles of books are pretty straightforward. Kiddie section to the far left. Information desk as soon as you walk in. Tables in the open areas. It's just simply a library. Nothing more, nothing less. This library is one of the older ones so I really do hope that they take some interest in it and make some changes that could definitely liven the place up. It's also conveniently in the same building as the police station in the NE. I don't know why that would be convenient, but in case you need to report a crime and pick up a book or two, this is your one stop shop. This library is good for the person who just wants some peace while reading or working because I have noticed the RBL is ten times quieter than any of it's sister libraries. I know all the other ones don't care if you're having a full fledged convo or if you're talking business on the phone, but I never see that at this one. Also it's all an open room so that may be why since the sound would travel through the entire place if you were yapping away on your cellphone.

Architecture is amazing! It inspires my reading! There are plenty of reading nooks and offers a…read morevariety of genres. My kids love coming here. They hold different events for kids so make sure to check out their calendar. The staff is helpful and always available. There are rooms that can be rented out for group meetings. They do have a passport office inside too. If you need a break from reading you can stretch your legs with a nice hike outside!

Need a book or computer services? Then come here (when services return to normal after the virus…read morehas settled down). Do you need to vote early? Then this is the place. The set up is well organized and the staff is very helpful for the library as well as voting. I have come here several times to vote and the volunteers do an excellent job.