Old Market Square
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Platted 1836 by surveyors Gail Borden, Jr., and Moses Lapham as "Congress Square." It was intention of city fathers Augustus C. and John K. Allen to have permanent Capitol of Republic of Texas located here. However, this was never realized and almost immediately it became center of commerce for the flourishing city. Residents, farmers, peddlers and Indians all crowded here daily with wagon loads of goods to trade. Soon merchants were vying for permanent sites for stores. One early observer noted "reason for its popularity was that the municipal government was conducted in Kesler's Arcade, a saloon only a half block away." In 1840 Houston's first municipal market house was built here. Before it was completed, city officials voted to enlarge it and include a city hall also. For 30 years building served dual role-- the market overflowing till it reached the streets. Many items, including household and farm goods, were sold here. It was here that Houston Independent Light Guard mobilized after Texas decided to invade Mexico, 1842. Several municipal buildings occupied the site following original market-city hall. However, the seat of city government was eventually moved to a new location and this became a park.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Surveyed in 1836 as "Congress Square," this Houston block was meant by the city's founding Allen brothers to hold the permanent capitol of the Republic of Texas. That dream never came true, and the square instead became the young city's beating commercial heart, thronged daily by farmers, peddlers, and traders. From 1840 it held Houston's market house and city hall — a dual-purpose building whose bustle spilled into the surrounding streets for thirty years.
Why it matters
Old Market Square is where a raw Republic-era town became a city, showing how commerce rather than politics ultimately anchored Houston's rise.
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Related people
- · Gail Borden, Jr.
- · Moses Lapham
- · Augustus C. Allen
- · John K. Allen
Themes & tags
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