Popular plaza alligator died 106 years ago today
Most El Pasoans know live alligators once called San Jacinto Plaza home, hence, the Spanish name, “La Plaza de los Lagartos.”
“Los Lagartos” or “The Alligators” were a staple of the El Paso culture. February 19, 2018, marks the anniversary of the death of one of the most recognizable alligators from that era.
El Paso historian Fred Morales says the three live alligators arrived in 1883 when improvements were being done on what was then called the public square. The alligators were mostly from people who donated them to be placed in the pond.
“People were very fond of the alligators there in that time period. They even placed a name on all of them. They ranged from the most popular being Sally, Abercrombie, Mini, Suitcase, and they even named two alligators for the Chamizal. One Chami and the other Zal,” Morales told ABC-7.
However, cold weather would be the cause of the death of one of those famous alligators on this day, 106 years ago.
“On February 19, 1912, the alligator nicknamed “Don Porfirio,” named after the Mexican president, contracted pneumonia due to cold weather. The pond had frozen and he died there at San Jacinto plaza,” Morales explained.
Years later, the remaining alligators would soon find another place to call home. Vandals were the reason why the alligators would be taken out of the plaza, and transported to the El Paso Zoo. The alligators were taken from plaza in the 1960s. The last, named Humpy, would survive until 1996.
Today, a sculpture of the three alligators sits in the heart of Downtown El Paso to honor the original alligators. ” La Plaza del los Lagartos” lives on.
