US Border Patrol Museum El Paso Texas RV Motorhome Travel Destination

Honoring Those Who Protect Our Borders

Back in 1904, a small group of Mounted Inspectors were assigned by the Commissioner-General of Immigration to patrol along the U.S.-Mexican border to curb the flow of Chinese aliens entering the country illegally to work on railroad expansion projects. Originally assigned to the area around El Paso, Texas, the Inspectors’ area of operations was later expanded to include New Mexico and Arizona. Their numbers never more than 75 men, the force was never adequate to cope with the ever-increasing flood of illegal aliens entering the country.

In May, 1924 Congress approved the Immigration Act, which established the Border Patrol as a uniformed law enforcement agency of the Immigration Bureau. The first 450 Border Patrol Inspectors were selected from the old Mounted Inspectors and from a Civil Service register for railroad postal clerks.

Charged with preventing smuggling and the entry of illegal aliens over 6,000 miles of border, these first hastily recruited officers were inadequately trained and equipped. For months they worked in civilian clothing, since no official uniform had been designed for them. Their equipment consisted of old military surplus, and make do civilian items. But while these early officers may have lacked formal training, equipment and uniforms, there was no shortage of enthusiasm and determination to stem the tide of illegal immigration. In 1925, an additional 2,000 miles of border extending along the Florida and Gulf coasts were also added to the patrol area.

The new Border Patrol quickly proved its worth in a very troubled region, and saw action almost from the first day. Prohibition was in effect, and bootleg liquor was being smuggled across the border everywhere. The smugglers did not hesitate to use force to protect their lucrative business. Newspaper reports from one 70 mile long sector report that for the month of February, 1927, not one 24 hour period passed without the roar of gunfire as Inspectors clashed with smugglers. In 1930 the Border Patrol arrested 20,915 illegal aliens and 1,427 criminals on charges ranging from smuggling to murder. Border Patrol Inspectors quickly developed a reputation for steadfast courage under fire, as well as compassion and toughness. In 1971 the title of Patrol Inspectors was changed to Patrol Agents.

To understand the scope of the Border Patrol’s job, one must realize the size of the territory it is responsible for covering. The Mexican border stretches 1,950 miles from San Ysidro, California through rugged mountains, treacherous canyons, blistering hot deserts, rich farmlands, and towns and cities to the Gulf of Mexico. Some stretches of the border are marked by a large steel fence, while in other areas the only notices are a series of concrete boundary markers. In Texas, the Rio Grande River delineates the dividing line between the United States and Mexico.

Often called the longest undefended border in the world, the 3,987 miles of border separating the United States and Canada stretches from Point Roberts, Washington to Minnesota along the 49^th parallel. From there the border follows the waters of the rivers and lakes feeding the Great Lakes, across the northern lake shores to the St. Lawrence River, and on to the deep Maine forests to Calais. To the south, the southern sea border around Florida and the Gulf of Mexico extends another 2,050 miles. Agents still ride horses in some remote areas, while modern equipment is used on most areas of the border. Even with today’s modern vehicles, high speed boats, aircraft, and high tech surveillance equipment, patrolling these many miles of border is an intimidating task.

Today Border Patrol Agents are still on the job, protecting our nation’s borders from smuggling and illegal aliens. Modern operations include surveillance of the border for smugglers and illegal aliens, tracking those who have crossed the border illegally, maintaining traffic checkpoints on major highways leading into the United States, patrolling cities in search of illegal aliens, and inspecting inbound commercial traffic such as buses, aircraft, passenger and freight trains. The job remains just as challenging and dangerous as before, or even more so, as today’s criminals are better armed and less hesitant to resort to violence than those who went before. More than 60 Border Patrol Inspectors and Agents have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The modern Border Patrol is a force of over 6,500 highly trained and motivated agents, operating mostly along the southern border. Agents are on the job 24 hours a day, braving all kinds of weather conditions and working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to combat border crime.

With a history of over 75 years, the Border Patrol has carved out a niche for itself in American history, and the Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, Texas honors and preserves that history and the men and women of the Patrol. Called one of El Paso’s best kept secrets, the Museum’s exhibits tell the story of the Border Patrol and the challenging, often dangerous job Border Patrol agents face every day.

Included in the exhibits are firearms used by inspectors and agents from the early patrol days to today, captured contraband, uniforms, equipment, and artwork depicting the important role of Border Patrol personnel. Old newspaper articles tell of the Border Patrol’s major successes, and tragic losses when agents have been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Photographs of inspectors and agents, Border Patrol operations, and Inspection Stations dot the walls. Vehicles on display range from high performance automobiles to all terrain vehicles, airplanes, and helicopters.

Several exhibits of crude rafts that illegal aliens have used to try to enter the country are on display, as well as examples of the extremes smugglers will go to to hide contraband drugs. Also included in the exhibits are weapons seized by agents, demonstrating the very real dangers they face on the job. Other exhibits recognize the work of the highly trained dogs of the K-9 division, used in patrol activities and to search out drugs being smuggled across the border.

Looking completely out of place in this desert setting, a high speed cigarette boat seized from a drug smuggler off the coast of Florida is displayed at the Museum. Urban patrol operations are also recognized, including bicycles agents use to patrol the streets of cities like El Paso.

The evolution of Border Patrol equipment and techniques is represented by two very different pieces of equipment on display, a saddle used on early horse patrols, and a remote control robot used in special operations and dangerous assignments. The Museum also houses a library of archives relating to the Border Patrol and its many different roles in protecting the integrity of our borders.

A gift shop at the Museum sells books on the Border Patrol, clothing, hats, key chains, and other souvenirs of your visit.

The Border Patrol Museum is popular with current and former law enforcement personnel, as well as anyone interested in the history and work of this very important law enforcement agency. Anyone traveling through the El Paso area should try to include enough time for a stop at the Museum.

The Border Patrol Museum is located a few miles east of El Paso on Loop 375 (Transmountain Road), next to the Wilderness Park Museum. Loop 375 is a good route to take to avoid heavy freeway traffic through the city. There is room to park any size RV at the Museum, and it is handicapped accessible. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the Border Patrol Museum, call 915-759-6060, or visit their website at www.borderpatrolmuseum.org