“Market Square”, three city blocks bounded by Dolorosa, Santa Rosa and West Commerce Streets is a revitalized commercial area in downtown San Antonio. The historic center of commerce in the city, since it moved to its current location in the 1890s, Market Square has witnessed many of the highs and lows as San Antonio expanded with European immigration in after the Civil War and, later, the relocation of commercial activity as San Antonio became the fastest growing city in Texas by 1900.

The “El Mercado” a structure built during the Depression as a Works Progress Administration project, is the heart of this pedestrian friendly shopping district. Originally serving local “farm to market” produce and other goods brought in by truck, the El Mercado now houses over 100 individually owned shops, stalls and restaurants.

Credits and Sources:

https://www.getcreativesanantonio.com/Explore-San-Antonio/Market-Square

Guerra, Mary Ann Noonan, The History of San Antonio’s Market Square. The Alamo Press. San Antonio (1988).