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The Star is being lit by Economy Wholesale Grocers. In honor of Hector Ortega & Family. In Recognition for 43 Years of Dedicated.
The Star is being lit by Cindy Peaslee. In honor of Erica & Daan. Your friendship lights the world!
The star is being lit by De su esposa e hijos. In loving memory of Manuel Prieto Borunda. Lo queremos y extrañamos todos los días.
The star is being lit by Nomie and Phil. In loving memory of Corey Daniel Gonzales. Corey, may your star shine bright always.
The star is being lit by the Solórzano Family, In loving memory of Juan “Juanito” Peña, Jr. Siempre en nuestros corazones!
The star is being lit by MICC Fort Bliss. In honor of Melissa Garcia. Thank you for Supporting Fort Bliss.
The star is being lit by MICC Fort Bliss. In honor of Miguel Medrano. Thank you for Supporting Fort Bliss.
The star is being Michie & Normie. In loving memory of Josie de la Fuente. Wishing you a Happy Birthday in Heaven.
The star is being lit by Jenny & Jordan. In honor of Arenisse Sepulveda. HAPPY BDAY! Let your smile shine bright!
The star is being lit by Donald, Denise and Lilli Tubau. In loving memory of Amy Lynne Tubaugh. We will love you always and forever Amy.
The star is being lit by Children & Ortiz Family. In loving memory of Leonor E. Vasquez. We love and miss you, mom and grandma.
The star is being lit by Edward, Audrey & Boys. In honor of Maria Luisa Vasquez. Happy 80th B-Day to our Family’s Star!!
The star is being lit by Ruby Hernandez. In loving memory of Pedro (Petee) Delgadillo. Happy 21st b-day Petee, We miss you.
The Star is being lit by Norma Jean & General. In loving memory of Magda S. Gonzales. Aunt Magda, Happy Birthday in Heaven.
The Star is being lit by CASA of El Paso. In honor of Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez. Congrats on being our Shining Star!
The Star is being lit by Ruby Hernandez. In loving memory of Pedro (Petee) Delgadillo. Happy 21st b-day Petee. We miss you.
The Star is being lit by Papi, Mami, Emma, Mau y Mabel. In loving memory of Lucia de los Angeles. Siempre estas en nuestros pensamientos.
The Star is being lit by Diana Duron. In honor of Mike Almanza. Dad: wish you were here with us Love you.
If you’ve always wanted to light the Star on the Mountain in El Paso in honor of a loved one’s accomplishments or memory, submit a starlighter request. The cost is $50 for a lighting and certificate. Additional certificates may be purchased for $10. Star lighter announcements will be in the Sunday El Paso Times the week following your lighting. Please note that the El Paso Times listing is done as a courtesy and is not a guarantee. Please submit a request at least 7 days in advance. Multiple lightings announcements may occur on the same day.
Submit a Starlighter RequestThe El Paso Electric Company built the first star on the south side of the Franklin Mountains in 1940. At the time it was only 50 feet wide and could barely be seen on the Carlsbad Highway. It also did not last long; a storm blew out most of the bulbs.
Soon after, another star was built bigger and better. It was 403 feet long, 300 feet wide and used 300 light bulbs. More improvements were made in 1946: the length was increased to 459 feet, the width reduced to 278 feet and 459 light bulbs were used. It was then that lighting the “Star on the Mountain” became an El Paso tradition during the Christmas season.
Today the Star has the same dimensions as in 1946. It sits at an angle of 30 degrees and appears to be “perfect” at its focal point at the intersection of Texas and Alameda Avenues. The poles are staggered up and down the mountain for the distance of 459 feet; starting at the mountain top, and run down to a point about 200 feet above Scenic Drive. From its lofty height, the Star may be seen from the east for 100 miles from the air and some 30 miles from the ground. Pilots are known to use the Star as an orientation point.
There are approximately 30 streamers that are hooked onto guy wire cables forming the Star and are pulled into position. Despite some schedule changes, such as during the energy crisis in the ’70s, the star has been lit each and every year since World War II.
In 1980 the Star remained lit for 444 days (until January 21, 1981) during the Iran hostage crisis. In 1990, during the Gulf War, the Star once again remained lit (until August 21, 1991) in support of Fort Bliss and all U.S. troops stationed with Operation Desert Storm.
Through the efforts of the El Paso Chamber and support from private citizens, businesses, and community organizations, the Star on the Mountain now shines bright each and every night at dusk. El Paso is proud of its new image of the ”Star City” in the Lone Star State.
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