Rio Vista Farm
Established in 1915 as El Paso’s second poor farm, Rio Vista Farm flourished through the Great Depression in 1929 and began hosting an array of public welfare programs shortly afterward. Unlike most Texas poor farms of the time, Rio Vista’s familial model welcomed and accepted neglected children in addition to the indigent adult population, sheltering hundreds of them throughout its operating years. It later served as a temporary base for a Civilian Conservation Corps unit in 1936 and as a reception center for the WWII era Bracero Program, where Mexican laborers were processed before being sent to various jobs across several states, from 1951 - 1964.
2015: This important West Texas landmark, which tells the story of migration, oppression and triumph in the American experience, is threatened by serious neglect as its adobe structures are quickly deteriorating.
UPDATE: In 2015, the City of Socorro allocated $1.1 million towards the restoration of the Farm. In 2016, Rio Vista Farms was declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The city of Socorro is dedicated to the rehabilitation and maintenance of Rio Vista Farm, which will serve as a community center.
News Links:
National Trust of Historic Places – Rio Vista Farms
El Paso Times – Socorro’s Rio Vista Farm named National Treasure
ADDRESS: 800 Rio Vista Rd, Socorro (El Paso County)
DESIGNATION: NRHP, NHL
STATUS: In Progress
OWNER: City of Socorro
RESOURCE TYPE: Institutional
YEAR LISTED: 2015
