Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Park History
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Historia del Parque
Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025
1. Park History / Historia del Parque Marker
English side of the marker
Edwin Waller's original design of Austin consisted of a grid with a central square (Capitol Square) and four smaller "public squares." In 1888 the squares were named Brush, Hamilton (now First Baptist Church), Bell (now Wooldridge) and Hemphill (now Republic).Initially Austin invested little in parks and public spaces. Although the original city plan set aside public land, people quickly found other ways to use these spaces. Between 1950 and the early 1970s, Republic Square was used as a parking lot.
As part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration in 1976, Austin sought to return the square to its original purpose. The city chose the current name, Republic Square, in tribute to the Republic of Texas.
In 2017, the Downtown Austin Alliance, Austin Parks Foundation and Austin Parks and Recreation Department decided to give Republic Square a dramatic makeover. The civic space that you experience today is a reflection of the spirit and intent of Waller's original inspiration.
Captions
(Photo #1) Earliest known photograph of Republic Square looking south toward the Colorado River,
this page online
Photograph by H.B. Hillyer, Image #PICA 27837, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
El diseño original de Edwin Waller para la ciudad de Austin consistía en un cuadro con una plaza central (Capitol Square) y cuatro plazas públicas secundarias más pequeñas. En el 1888, estas plazas fueron nombradas Brush, Hamilton (ahora First Baptist Church), Bell (ahora Wooldridge) y Hemphill (ahora Republic).
Austin inicialmente invertía muy poco en parques y espacios públicos. Aunque el plan original de la ciudad tenía espacios reservados para propiedades públicas, las personas rápidamente encontraron otras maneras para usar estos espacios. Entre los años 1950 y principios de los 1970, Republic Square se utilizaba como un estacionamiento.
El proceso de establecer el centro a su propósito original se comenzó en el 1976 como parte de la celebración bicentenaria de los Estados Unidos. Austin escogió Republic Square, su nombre actual, como tributo a la República de Texas.
En el 2017, la Downtown Austin Alliance, la Austin Parks Foundation y el Departamento de Parques y Recreación de Austin se unieron para renovar dramáticamente Republic Square. El espacio público que se ve hoy es un reflejo del espíritu y la intención de la inspiración original de Edwin Waller.
Subtítulos
Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025
2. Park History / Historia del Parque Marker
Spanish side of the marker
(Foto #1) Una de las primeras fotos que se conocen de Republic Square mirando al sur hacia el Rio Colorado en el 1869
Fotografia por H. Hillyer, Nimero de imagen PICA 2783, Austin History Center, Biblioteca Pública de Austin
Erected by Downtown Austin Alliance, Austin Parks Foundation and Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 30° 16.057′ N, 97° 44.817′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It is on Guadalupe Street north of W 4th St, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along the east side of Republic Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 422 Guadalupe St, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jose Maria Morelos y Pavón (within shouting distance of this marker); Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (within shouting distance of this marker); Guadalupe Park and Austin's Mexico / El Guadalupe Park y El "México" de Austin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Soul of the Square / El Alma de Republic Square (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025
3. The view of the marker on the east side of Republic Square
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
