Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Public Market and Town Hall

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

1. Public Market and Town Hall Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Authorized 1850. On land deeded forever for this purpose.

Butchers, other vendors moved in during 1851. Building complete with top story and bell tower, 1852. Town hall and market used for Presbyterian church services.

In high wind of 1867 lost its second floor. Restored 1868.

Remodeled 1912, 1948. Original foundations and walls still survive in the modern market.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1965

Erected 1965 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 4135.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 25° 54.124′ N, 97° 29.837′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of East 12th Street and Market Square Street, on the right when traveling west on East 12th Street. Marker is mounted near the southwest corner of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1150 Market Square St, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Manautou Building (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); El Tapiz (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan H. Fernandez y Hermano Building

Town Hall Building (<i>marker visible near corner of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

2. Town Hall Building (marker visible near corner of building)

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Juan H. Fernandez Store (within shouting distance of this marker); San Fernando Buildings (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whitman's Store (about 300 feet away); Fernandez Hide Yard (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Also see . . . Brownsville, Texas. Efforts were made to incorporate the town in the early 1850s, but a protracted series of legal battles over who had actually owned the land—Stillman or Cavazos's heirs—complicated matters. The Third Texas Legislature passed a measure on January 24, 1850, incorporating the town and relinquishing all state's rights and title to the area, but the Fourth Legislature repealed the law as of April 1, 1852, because of claims made by the Cavazos heirs. After a series of special sessions the following year, the legislature reincorporated the city on February 7, 1853. But the title issue was not completely settled until 1879, when the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Stillman group. (Submitted on June 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Close-up of Lettering on Town Hall Building - near door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

3. Close-up of Lettering on Town Hall Building - near door

Public Market and Town Hall (<i>12th Street view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

4. Public Market and Town Hall (12th Street view)

Public Market (<i>view from opposite end of Market Square at 11th Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

5. Public Market (view from opposite end of Market Square at 11th Street)

Public Market and Town Hall (<i>southwest corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2018

6. Public Market and Town Hall (southwest corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on June 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on June 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.