The history of the Pass of the North (EL Paso del Rio del Norte) is our city's greatest asset. Through this narrow corridor, historical forces swept into the Great American Southwest, mingling with Native American people and traditions to create the rich cultural and racial amalgam that is our region today. Our soil is testmony to the epic struggle of Native Americans, Old World explorers, colonizers, soldiers, outlaws, entrpreneurs and revolutionaries. The XII Travelers Memorial, conceived by sculptor John Houser, is a dramatic vehicle for acquainting young and old with our unique history. Famed El Paso artist Tom Lea Jr., who initially developed the Twelve Traveler's illustrated book and calendar in 1947, gave John his support to further develop the concept into a sculptrue project.