Downtown Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old City Hall & Market House Buildings

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026

1. Old City Hall & Market House Buildings Marker

Inscription.
Foundation Outline of Old City Hall & Market House Buildings
1873-1876
1877-1901
1904-1960

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 29° 45.746′ N, 95° 21.743′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. It can be reached from Preston Street near Travis Street, on the left when traveling east. The text is etched into a paver at Market Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Milam Street, Houston TX 77002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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: Lauren's Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); United Airlines Flight 93

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Park Site Chronology (within shouting distance of this marker); The Houston Market Square Park Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square Park Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kennedy Bakery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

More about this marker. The same text is etched in several different places throughout Market Square Park.

Also see . . . City Hall History.

Excerpt: "From 1841 to 1939, Houston municipal government was headquartered at Old Market Square, on a site donated to the City by Houston's founder, the Allen brothers. The City Hall on Market Square was destroyed by fire in the 1870's, and again in 1901, and rebuilt each time."

(Submitted on September 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026

2. Old City Hall & Market House Buildings Marker

Market Square Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026

3. Market Square Park

1904 City Hall and Market House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026

4. 1904 City Hall and Market House

This photo of the 1904 City Hall and Market House is found on a different historical marker inside Market Square Park. It replaced previous buildings that had been destroyed by fire.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.