El Paso’s First Mall is Turning 60! Take A Look At Bassett Place Throughout The Years

60 years ago El Paso got its first mall ever, Bassett Place Mall. My fondest memory of Bassett place mall was running to the pet store to pet all the adorable dogs and begging my parents to buy us a new dog. (It never worked but it was still worth a shot.)

Bassett Place Mall wasn’t what it was today. A lot has changed from the name of the shopping center, to the stores that have come and gone and to the whole building in general!

When Bassett Center opened on March 2, 1962, it was an open-air shopping center that was 53-acres with only 18 stores. Bassett wasn’t completely enclosed until 1974.

The first store that signed on the dotted lines in Bassett Center was The White House Department store which signed its lease on June 13, 1958.

The Bassett Center would become El Paso's first and largest regional center and at that time it was located between Montana Avenue and the Freeway just east of Hawkins Way.

Fast forward to 60 years later and Bassett Place is now home to 60 retail stores. Its anchors are Costco Wholesale, Conn’s, Kohl’s, Premiere Cinema IMAX, and Target.

Mall officials are celebrating Bassett’s 60th Birthday with a HUGE celebration and they are hoping the community will come out this weekend to join in on the fun.

The event will include music from local bands, Folklorico dancers, fun and games for the kids, and a car show. The first few guests will also receive a FREE slice of their birthday cake!