Star on the Mountain

Star on the Mountain

Stay Connected with the Chamber
May 18, 2023 – May 30, 2023 Starlighters

The star is being lit by the El Paso Chamber. In honor of Angie Rosales. For being our guest speaker for our Women in Business breakfast May session!

May 18, 2023

The star is being lit by Emma and Family Martinez. In loving memory of Alfonso Martinez. Happy Heavenly Bday! We love & miss you!

May 18, 2023

The star is being lit by WBAMC Staff Appreciation Week. In honor of WBAMC Staff. Thank you WBAMC Staff for your hard work.

May 19, 2023

The star is being lit by the El Paso Chamber team. In honor of Christian Lick! Congrats grad! We are so proud of you!

May 20, 2023

The star is being lit by the Family of John L. Williams. In loving memory of John L. Williams. We love and miss you so much.

May 24, 2023

The star is being lit by the Family. In loving memory of Art Apodaca and Dian A. Gonzalez. Let your Light Shine on us!

May 25, 2023

The star is being lit by John A Howlett and Aileen R. In loving memory of John A Howlett. Ur Son graduated HS today. U’d be so Proud!

May 26, 2023

The star is being lit by Lydia Ramos. In honor of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing 1973 Class. Thank you for your Dedication.

May 27, 2023

The star is being lit by Max Supnet. In loving memory of Grandma Lucy Rojo Supnet. The star is being lit by the Supnet Family

May 27, 2023

The star is being lit by The Otero Family. In loving memory of Emilia Uribe. Happy Heavenly Birthday Grandma Villa!

May 28, 2023

The star is being lit by Robbin Gibson. In loving memory of Ella Mae Nelson. Happy Bday Mom, may your spirit roam!

May 28, 2023

The star is being lit by the City of El Paso. In honor of Our Departed Military Men and Women. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

May 29, 2023

The star is being lit by Paz Family. In loving memory of Bertha Paz. For a sister/aunt/mother taken to soon ❤

May 30, 2023
Submit a Starlighter Request

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 Request

History of the
Star on the Mountain

The 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.