Old Market Square

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.

Old Market Square is a historical marker in Houston, Harris County, dedicated in 1969. It is one of 406 historical markers documented in Harris County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 781 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.7628, -95.3619 near Houston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Foley, W. L., Building (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Kennedy Bakery, Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade, and 1884 Houston Cotton Exchange Building.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5201010724. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.