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

Jail Square

Photographed By Brian Anderson, December 31, 2018

1. Jail Square Marker

Inscription.

First mapped in 1825 as "Market Square," but had become "Jail Square" prior to 1836 when Gonzales was burned by order of Gen. Sam Houston to prevent buildings and supplies falling into possession of oncoming enemy, Gen. Santa Anna.

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2710.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 29° 30.139′ N, 97° 27.152′ W. Marker is in Gonzales, Texas, in Gonzales County. Marker is on St. George Street east of North St. Joseph Street (Business U.S. 183), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Confederate Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 St Lawrence Street, Gonzales TX 78629, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Women of the Confederacy (here, next to this marker); Historic Gonzales Churches and Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Segregation in Gonzales: Edwards High School (a few steps from this marker); Juneteenth - A Day of Freedom and Jubilee (a few steps from this marker); From Segregation to Integration (a few steps from this marker);

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Gonzales County Jail (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Square (about 400 feet away); First Methodist Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gonzales.

Also see . . .
1. Gonzales Commercial Historic District NHRP Application. (Submitted on November 13, 2020, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
2. City of Gonzales, Texas, Website. (Submitted on November 13, 2020, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Additional commentary.
1. From National Register Application
section 7 page 16:
Block/Site# - 24/C
Address - Confederate (Jail) Square
Property Type - Public Square
Date - 1832/1909
Category - Contributing

section 8 page 33:
Confederate (Jail) Square
1832
(Site C)

Originally laid out as Jail Square in the 1832 colonial town plan, ostensibly for a public jail, this square was renamed Confederate Square with the 1909 dedication of the monument to Confederate Soldiers located at the center. The square also features a smaller monument just north of the Confederate monument dedicated to the women of the

Photographed By Thomas Onions, October 2, 2018

2. Jail Square Marker

Confederacy and a Texas Historical Survey Committee marker telling the square's place in the unique layout of the town. Sidewalks and landscaping surround the center monument and radiate out to the curbs. The city fire station, built there in 1903, occupies the southern edge of the square. The block's shape is defined by a surrounding parking area to the north, east, and west sides of the monument. Part of the square was reserved for a public parking area as early as 1889.

— Submitted November 13, 2020, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2. submitted on November 13, 2020, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.