Downtown Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Market Square Park
2010
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026
1. Market Square Park Marker
The goals for the redesigned Market Square Park were to acknowledge the history of the site, to provide an active, urban green space adaptive to the needs of a diverse neighborhood and to conserve existing artwork while incorporating new works of art.
Multiple City Hall and Market House buildings occupied Market Square throughout its history. Today, a visitor can follow a granite band through the park for a tour around the footprint of the foundation. A rectangular lawn sits at the foundation center. The Park cafe and James Surls' Points of View occupy the spaces where the buildings towers once stood framing the present day dining trellis, performance stage and plaza. On the west side of the lawn a crescent-shaped dog run provides a welcoming place for the canine contingent to play off leash. Lauren's Garden, a space dedicated to memory of all who were lost in September 11, 2001, is named for Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, a Houstonian and passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Offering a respite for meditation and remembrance, this tribute garden of seasonal plantings, flowering trees and fountain is a gift to the city from the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation.
Much of Market Square's art collection was featured in the park's previous design, coordinated by DiverseWorks in 1991, with the unified message of embracing our city's history. These works by Malou Flato, Paul
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 9/11 Attacks • Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 28, 2010.
Location. 29° 45.767′ N, 95° 21.715′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. It is at the intersection of Congress Street and Travis Street, on the right when traveling west on Congress Street. 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.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026
2. Market Square Park
The post with this marker can be seen on the right side of the photo.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Market Square Park Timeline (here, next to this marker); Old Market Square (here, next to this marker); The Houston Market Square Park Project (a few steps from this marker); Park Site Chronology (a few steps from this marker); United Airlines Flight 93 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lauren's Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kennedy Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); W. L. Foley Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
More about this marker. This marker is on one side of a post that features on its front a 1970 Texas Historical Marker about Market Square. The post also includes a park timeline, and information related to renovations of the park, including a list of officials during the park's 2010 redesign.
Also see . . . Market Square Park. From the Downtown Houston
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026
3. Market Square Park Marker
The post with this marker is in the background on the right.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 20, 2026
4. Lauren's Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 23, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
