Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center, Selection Building, 901 North Rio Vista Road, Socorro, El Paso County, TX

Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center, Selection Building, 901 North Rio Vista Road, Socorro, El Paso County, TX

Historic American Buildings Survey

Significance: In order to meet the needs of the Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center that had originally been erected as the El Paso County Poor Farm in 1935-36, seven purpose-built structures were added between 1951 and 1956, including this large frame dormitory. Unlike the preexisting adobe brick Mission Revival buildings that provide dormitory space for fifty to sixty braceros, this large frame structure built in 1952 accommodated 400 beds utilizing Army-style bunks. It replaced three buildings that had been used as barracks but were returned to the Agricultural Extension Service. The El Paso Times reported in 1952 that the 160' x 50' frame building was "designed in a 'pavilion-type' and screened as indoor sleeping quarters for workers," built at a cost of $9,000. The screened areas were later replaced by jalousie windows. The dormitory formed the eastern edge of the quadrangular complex and was matched by a second frame dormitory built along the southern edge in 1954-56. The plans for the 1950s additions to Rio Vista were prepared by architects Monroe, Licht, and Higgins of El Paso.

Library of Congress Authorities database

Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Monroe, Licht and Higgens
Mexican Farm Labor Program
Bracero Program
J.E. Morgan and Sons
Arzola, Robert R., project manager
Davidson, Paul, field team supervisor
Esparza, Steven Jesus, field team
Villada, Allison Toro, field team
Lavoie, Catherine C., editor
U.S. National Park Service (NPS), Youth and Young Adult Programs, sponsor
Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP), sponsor
Environment for the Americas, sponsor
American Conservation Experience (ACE), sponsor
McPartland, Mary, transmitter