02/01/2026
A letter from the Bowen Family
After generations of ranching on the northeastern edge of El Paso, the Bowen family will soon say goodbye to the land we’ve called home. Bowen Ranch, with its 88,000 acres of desert, mountains, and memory, has been more than a cattle operation—it has been a living part of El Paso’s soul.
This land has carried our family’s footsteps for over a century. It has seen births, weddings, homecomings, and heartbreaks. It has weathered droughts and wildfires, hosted celebrations and solemn farewells. Bowen Ranch has stood as a quiet witness to the passage of time, and now, that time is drawing to a close.
The City of El Paso will reclaim the land this year, and with it, a chapter of our family’s legacy will end. Saying goodbye is not easy. It’s not just the loss of a ranch—it’s the closing of a place that has shaped lives, held memories, and served as a gathering ground for generations of El Pasoans.
Our connection with the people of El Paso has always been at the heart of everything we’ve done. Bowen Ranch has hosted hundreds of weddings and quinceañeras—moments of joy and tradition that brought families together under the wide Texas sky. We’ve welcomed the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, watched young leaders grow through campouts and service projects, and opened our gates to those seeking peace, purpose, or just a place to breathe.
We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with local law enforcement and first responders. The ranch has supported Northeast Search and Rescue and worked side by side with the El Paso Fire Department to help safely return loved ones from the Franklin Mountains. Bowen cowboys have fought wildfires on those same ridges, risking their lives to protect the community we love.
Our relationship with Fort Bliss and the United States Army has been one of deep respect and shared purpose. Over the years, Bowen Ranch proudly hosted countless hail and farewell ceremonies, watched soldiers deploy with heavy hearts, and welcomed them home with open arms. We’ve stood alongside military families in moments of celebration and reflection, honored to be part of their journey. The ranch has been a place where service and sacrifice were honored—not just in words, but in presence.
Bowen Ranch has always been more than barbed wire and cattle—it has been a place of belonging. A place where the West still lived, where neighbors became friends, and where the land itself seemed to speak. It has been a refuge, a classroom, a stage, and a sanctuary.
As we prepare to say goodbye, we do so with heavy hearts and deep gratitude. Gratitude for the memories made, the friendships forged, and the privilege of serving this community in our own quiet way. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of El Paso, El Paso Water Utilities, El Paso Electric Company, Fort Bliss, the El Paso Police Department, and the El Paso Fire Department. Your partnership, support, and service have helped make Bowen Ranch a place of purpose and pride.
To all who have shared in the life of Bowen Ranch—thank you. You’ve made this land more than a ranch. You’ve made it home. And though the gates may close, the spirit of Bowen Ranch will live on in the hearts of those who knew it, loved it, and called it theirs.
With heartfelt appreciation and a bittersweet farewell,
The Bowen Family
