One of the best lines you can read that explains this wonderful town is “Not to be confused with El Paso, Texas”.

El Paso is a small community in central Illinois that took on more characteristics of a highway community after the construction of Interstate 39, which supplanted the older alignment of U.S. Highway 51. El Paso itself was founded by George Gibson and James Wathen. Gibson gave it the Spanish name "El Paso", is either after El Paso, Texas, or possibly because of a nearby railroad junction.

This is also known as the birthplace of Fulton John Sheen (born May 8, 1895 – December 9, 1979) was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. He is currently being considered for canonization.  It is also home to the Legacy Building downtown. This is a beautiful and historic building in a fantastic downtown. The building served as an opera house and still hosts tours around the town. This building is also important for housing important historical information on David A. Strother.

David A. Strother (1843-1905), a barber, was the first African American to vote in Illinois after the passage of the 15th Amendment. On April 4, 1870, he voted for the Republican ticket in the city election for mayor of El Paso. William Neifing, local harness dealer and undertaker, was one of the judges and he sent out a copy of the amendment, and learned that it was adopted. The judges sent a messenger for Dave and he returned to the polls where apologies were made and he proceeded to cast his vote, no doubt for the reelection of Mr. Wathen as mayor. Later in the day, Dave's brother, Charles Strother also cast his vote, unquestionably the second Negro to vote under the new amendment. Needless to say, Strother's vote made history.

SERVPRO understands our small towns as well as our larger communities. But we also look at Water and Fire Restoration very carefully. When Communities have such rich history in their buildings and their people, we take great pride and care for them.