Mckelligon Canyons Amphitheatre Was Born On The 4th of July

McKelligon Canyon is one of El Paso's most iconic landmarks, a dramatic slice of the Franklin Mountains where locals hike, climb, and catch outdoor concerts under the desert sky. But the canyon has a backstory as rugged as its walls. Here is what most people driving past Beaumont Army Medical Center have no idea about.

The Man Behind the Name Was El Paso's Original Renaissance Man

The canyon is named after Maurice J. McKelligon, and that guy had a resume. According to a 2012 piece published on kisselpaso.com, Maurice J. McKelligon was a rancher, land explorer, banker, ex-sheriff, and a local writer who came to El Paso in 1880, where he developed a drove of cattle and improved a spring of water inside what is now called McKelligon Canyon. To put that in perspective, when McKelligon arrived, El Paso had a population of just 300 people and no schools. He was essentially setting up shop at the edge of the frontier.

El Paso County Bought It for $30,000

El Paso County purchased McKelligon Canyon for $30,000 in 1931. That was during the Great Depression, and the development of the canyon leaned right into that moment. According to Wikipedia, the long road into the canyon was built using federal relief funds, included a dam, and cost around $150,000. In other words, the winding road you drive up today is a Depression-era public works project, built by workers who needed the jobs.

The Mckelligon Canyon Amphitheater Was Born on the Fourth of July

The amphitheater was inaugurated on July 4, 1976, to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial, highlight the multicultural history of the region, and employ local residents. Built with an open-air proscenium in native stone, the facility is ideally sited to take in the rugged landscape that surrounds it. Shortly after opening, the stage became home to the newly created production "Viva El Paso!" created by Hector Serrano, head of the Drama Department at El Paso Community College. Serrano directed the show for 25 seasons until 2002.

Someone Once Thought There Was Uranium in The Canyon

This one is wild. According to Kiddle Encyclopedia, in the 1950s some people believed a valuable mineral called uranium might be found in the canyon, but after looking into it, the rumor turned out to be false. Cold War energy was running hot across the country at the time, and West Texas was no exception. Fortunately for hikers and concertgoers, it was just a rumor.

People Train Here for One of the Most Grueling Marches in El Paso

McKelligon Canyon is not just a casual walk in the park for everyone who shows up. As Texas Hill Country notes, the canyon has often been used as a training location for those entering the Bataan Memorial Death March, which takes place annually at the White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Its high desert terrain helps entrants prepare for the 26-mile march honoring U.S. service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. The same trail you use for a morning jog is somebody's boot camp.

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