A selection of HABS photographs of iconic adobe structures in El Paso County taken by architect Marvin Eickenroht in 1936 that are featured in this exhibit.

Established in 1933, HABS was the nation’s first federal preservation program and a relief effort for architects during the Great Depression.

Eickenroht began his career in San Antonio in 1925, focusing on churches, educational facilities, low-cost housing, and government buildings.

Adobe is an ancient building material created by combining clay, water, sand, and grass or straw. The mixture dries and hardens in the sun, making it ideal for arid climates.