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One of the oldest neighborhoods in El Paso County, El Segundo Barrio has historically served as the entry community for Mexican immigrants to the U.S. The bustling border culture inspires muralists, writers, and film producers, while drawing people from around the city to their favorite bakeries and street food vendors. Teeming with rich Tejano history, the district is also full of neighborhood pride and services to improve the lives of immigrants and Mexican Americans.

Educational challenges of barrio residents were met in 1887 when a Franciscan priest established the first school for Spanish speakers. Later named Aoy Elementary, its goal was to prepare students for public school where lessons were taught in English. Migrant farmers, a large segment of the barrio population since the 1830s, find food, shelter, and medical care assistance through the Border Farmworker Center, or Centro de Los Trabajadores Agricolas Fronterizos. Young women and families received special care at the Houchen Settlement House, which was established by Methodist missionaries in 1912. In its early days, housing, education, day care and bilingual preschool were offered. Eventually a clinic, maternity hospital, and Methodist church were added, and the community services complex became known as Friendship Square.