Toltec Building, El Paso

The Toltec Building was completed in 1910 as the home of the Toltec Club, a private social club for business and civic leaders. It opened on October 14, 1910, during a period of growth driven by railroad trade, mining, and cross-border commerce. The building was designed by Denver architect John J. Huddart and served as a place where members met for dining, social events, and business discussions.

The building’s exterior reflects a mix of Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival design. Its façade is built mainly from buff brick and sandstone, with decorative tile and terra-cotta details arranged in geometric patterns. These colorful elements were meant to draw attention in the busy commercial district. Some of the decorative designs were influenced by pre-Columbian art, and the name “Toltec” refers to an ancient Mesoamerican culture associated with knowledge and craftsmanship.

Inside were club rooms, dining areas, and social spaces, including a pink-and-gold ballroom on the top floor. Early visitors included Theodore Roosevelt and Francisco Madero. The club closed during the Great Depression in the 1930s, and the building was later used for offices and businesses. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.