Since Steve and I were in a border town, we thought it appropriate to pay a visit to the only one of its kind – the US Border Patrol Museum in El Paso TX.
Welcome to the US Border Patrol Museum El Paso
The US Border Patrol began in 1924 and will be celebrating its centennial in just two years. We are so happy that we were staying in El Paso for long enough to have time to explore the Museum.
A brief history of the US Border Patrol Museum
Plaques on display at the US Border Patrol Museum El Paso
On October 25, 1978, 34 Border Patrol Inspectors met in Denver, Colorado to establish the “Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers” (FORBPO). In addition to forming FORBPO, these officers envisioned a National Border Patrol Museum. What they envisioned was a facility that would be charged with the collection, preservation, and display of Border Patrol artifacts and history
This antique beauty was confiscated by the Border Patrol Del Rio Sector
It was approved in 1979 by a mail-in vote of the new FORBPO membership, thereby creating a National Border Patrol Museum, and the collection of artifacts began. A year later, on August 4, 1980, the Secretary of State for the State of Texas issued a Certificate of Incorporation, which identified the Museum as a tax exempt entity under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
It wasn’t until October 1, 1985, that the National Border Patrol Museum opened its doors in the basement of the old Cortez building in downtown El Paso, Texas. The museum operated out of this humble facility until 1992 when it was forced to close due to a dispute with the landlord. At that point, the Museum property was stored until the new Museum was built in 1994.
Replica of Lady Liberty
By February 1994, construction on the building was completed. The building was paid for and was lien free and has remained free of debt since its inception and pursuant to its lease agreement, has never charged an admission fee. In April 1994, the Museum opened its doors to the public. A total of 11,701 people visited the Museum during that first year at its new location.
This simple piece was so moving. NEVER FORGET looks like a piece of needlepoint. But if you zoom in you will see the names of each and every victim of the 9/11 terrorist attack!
The US Border Patrol Museum El Paso has evolved over the last 30 years and has become the proud repository for memorabilia and memories of more than 80 years of Border Patrol history.
Exhibits
Operations
The US Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, offers several exhibits that pertain to Border Patrol Operations. The Sign Cutting exhibit features a diorama that explains how sign cutting operations and tracking work to detect illegal entries into the United States. The exhibit also displays methods used by individuals to disguise their tracks in an effort to elude detection, and offers definitions to explain terminology used in tracking operations. Tracking has been an essential tool and skill learned and used by Agents since the inception of the Border Patrol close to 100 years ago.
Seized drug smuggling vehicles
The Transportation Check exhibit features two dioramas showing new checkpoints in the El Centro Sector. The new design contrasts sharply with pictures of earlier checkpoints used from the beginning of Border Patrol checkpoint operations. In addition there are depictions of train check operations, which are some of the most dangerous operations performed by the Border Patrol.
The Horse Patrol operations exhibit explains the origins of the Horse Patrol. On display are a variety of saddles and equipment used by Horse Patrol from its beginnings. Its use continues today because of the ability of horses to travel in terrain that most vehicles can not go.
Flight Operations is another exhibit highlighted in the museum. On display is a Piper Super Cub aircraft, and a OH-6 helicopter, both of which have been decommissioned, but have a rich history in Border Patrol Operations. Additional pictures show a wide variety of aircraft flown by Border Patrol pilots and a history into the qualification of Border Patrol pilots and the change from fixed-wing aircraft to rotary wing aircraft.
Vehicles of the Border Patrol
Border Patrol Vehicles
When the Border Patrol was first founded in 1924, the primary means of transportation was by horseback. The Service provided a badge and revolver, but recruits had to furnish their own horse and saddle. The Service did provide oats and hay for the horses, along with a salary of $1,680 for the inspectors.
As funds became available, vehicles were provided for the inspectors, along with classes on how to drive and maintain the vehicles. In the 1930s, vehicles with horse trailers became available, but the trend toward all vehicle operations became prevalent. Horse patrol units became obsolete, only to be revived in the 1970s. The iconic sea foam green color was established in the 1950s, and remained the primary vehicle color until a new color scheme in 1995. With the move to the Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, a new vehicle color scheme was adopted and for the first time in 55 years and Border Patrol emblem was not displayed on a Border Patrol vehicle.
Border Patrol Jeep
Agents patrol the border in vehicles, boats, aircraft, and on foot. In some areas, the Border Patrol employs horses, all-terrain motorcycles, bicycles, and snowmobiles. Pictures of early vehicles, and some Border Patrol vehicles are on display in the museum.
Weapons
The Border Patrol Museum features two different exhibits dedicated to the weapons. One exhibit features all duty carry weapons issued to Border Patrol Agents or Inspectors throughout its history. In the early days, Patrol Inspectors were required to provide their own weapons, some of which are displayed in the Duty Carry exhibit. In this exhibit all known weapons issued to Border Patrol Officers are on display, with the exception of the Beretta 92D Model, the first semi-automatic hand gun issued to Agents, and the current model, which is a Hechler and Koch P200, .40 caliber. Also on display in this exhibit are most of the long guns issued to Border Patrol Inspectors or Agents throughout its 91-year history. A Colt AR-15, and a Thompson sub-machine gun are two examples of the long guns displayed.
Seized weapons include this beautiful pearl handled Colt
The second exhibit in the Weapons Collections exhibit is the seized weapons exhibit. Included in this exhibit are various bladed weapons, saps, ice picks, and other hand weapons that were seized by Border Patrol Agents. The second part of the exhibit, showcases handguns and long guns seized from criminals. They include an AK-47, a Tec-9, an Uzi, modified shotguns, rifles and a homemade shotgun capable of firing a 12guage round. Above the exhibit, a sign reads, “awareness is survival” and serves as a reminder that the border can be a dangerous place. These guns are a definite testament to the dangers that the Border Patrol faces each and every day. At the same time, the Seized Weapons section is also a clear proof of the effectiveness and the dedication of the people who are doing this difficult and dangerous job.
Uniforms of the Border Patrol
The uniforms of the US Border Patrol
As we walked through the museum Steve and I saw various samples of Border Patrol uniforms worn throughout the years. When the Border Patrol was established in May of 1924, there was no money allocated for uniforms. An additional funding bill rectified that fact in December of 1924, and uniforms began being distributed throughout the service the following year. Early pictures of Border Patrolmen generally show them in dress uniform, as was mandated by policy. Rough duty uniforms did not begin to appear until the late 1940s, and early 1950.
These are the uniforms worn at our border with Canada. The Mounties Red jacket is so recognizable.
Examples of those early rough duty uniforms as well as the better-known uniforms of the late fifties, through 2007 are also on display. In 2007 the Department of Homeland Security approved a change from the more police type uniform to a more useful and paramilitary style uniform. This rough duty uniform was made of lighter fatigue like rip-stop material and for the first time in Border Patrol history displayed a permanent additional patch beside the Border Patrol patch. The metal badge was replace with a cloth badge, and the leather pistol belt was changed to a ballistic nylon material with plastic buckles. The new uniform is also on display.
I’d like you to meet the US Border Patrol Robot Agent!
A beautiful tribute to Benno, an heroic member of the US Border Patrol
If you are ever in the El Paso, Texas area I highly recommend a visit to the US Border Patrol Museum! It is very informative and interesting which makes it an awesome FREE attraction.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks