The University of Texas at El Paso. The University of Texas at El Paso traces its history to April 16, 1913, when the Texas Legislature approved the creation of a State School of Mines and Metallurgy. The board of regents of the University of Texas formally established the school one year later. The citizens of El Paso donated land east of Fort Bliss for the school. The site included buildings of the former El Paso Military Institute. Following a fire in October 1916, the college was moved to this location. By the end of 1918 five buildings had been completed in an architectural style imitating that of the Himalayan country of Bhutan. Designated a branch of the University of Texas in 1919, the College of Mines and Metallurgy added liberal arts courses and by 1931 offered a bachelor of arts degree. Further expansions led to a master of arts degree program in 1940 and a doctoral degree program in 1974. The name was changed to Texas Western College in 1949, and to the University of Texas at El Paso in 1967. The institution's campus, with its mountain setting and distinctive architecture, is unique among the state's colleges. (1989) #5445