Once a parking lot, now a vibrant public space, Republic Square has been at the center of Austin’s history since 1839, when the city’s first 306 lots were auctioned under the Auction Oaks. Originally one of four public squares in Edwin Waller’s city plan, it later became the heart of Austin’s early Mexican and Tejano community, earning the nickname “Guadalupe Park.”

By the early 1900s, families around the square shaped Austin’s Tex-Mex food scene, selling tamales and Mexican candies to locals. Today, that tradition continues with the Texas Farmers’ Market, drawing crowds every Saturday for fresh produce and local goods. The square has also hosted concerts, celebrations, and Diez y Seis de Septiembre festivities for generations.

After years of neglect, Republic Square was revived in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebration, and a 2017 renovation transformed it into the modern civic space it is today. With shaded seating, wide lawns, and a deep connection to the city’s roots, it remains a gathering place in the heart of downtown Austin—just as it was meant to be.