Bassett, O. T., Tower
Why it's listed
Rising fifteen stories at 301 Texas Avenue, this 1930 office tower was once the tallest building in El Paso. Designed by Trost and Trost, it follows the setback skyscraper form of the Modernistic era, with unadorned brick piers running the full height and spandrel bricks arranged to create a shallow fluted effect. Terra cotta, art stone, marble and granite ornament the first and top floors. The southeast entrance carries Art Deco detailing, including faces, one believed to resemble architect Henry Trost. Eagle busts cap the uppermost piers, and a steep pyramidal roof crowns the building. Charles N. Bassett built it in memory of his father, O.T. Bassett, who came to El Paso in 1880 to buy land for the Texas and Pacific Railroad, helped found State National Bank, ran a lumber business and served on the first school board and city council. Charles later led the bank. The tower remains in office use.
Significance in brief: The tower is presented as a monumental example of early 20th century skyscraper construction and one of Trost's most noteworthy structures. It was built by Charles N. Bassett in memory of his father, O.T. Bassett, who with his son played a major role in El Paso's early development, business life and civic affairs.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80004101, listed September 24, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 301 Texas Ave., El Paso |
|---|---|
| County | El Paso County |
| Listed | September 24, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004101 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Trost and Trost |
| Architectural style | Stepped skyscraper; Modernistic, Art Deco detailing |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is the same as the original use: commercial/office. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.89144, -106.57124 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80004101.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7072173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.