Republic Square (Austin)
| Republic Square | |
|---|---|
| Hamilton Square (1888-1976) | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | 422 Guadalupe St Austin, Texas 78703 |
| Coordinates | 30°16′04″N 97°44′50″W / 30.2678°N 97.7473°W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha)[1] |
| Created | 1888 |
Republic Square is an urban park in central Austin, Texas. Located in Downtown Austin, the park features a grassy area meant for festivals and events as well as shaded areas under live oak trees. The SFC Farmers' Market meets at the square every Saturday morning.[2][failed verification]
History
[edit]Originally called "Hamilton Square", Republic Square was one of four public squares laid out in the 1839 Waller Plan of Austin by Edwin Waller.[3] The square functioned as a normal urban park up until the mid-twentieth century when it served as a parking lot.[3] The neighborhood surrounding the park became significant for its Mexican American residents throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s.[4] During the United States Bicentennial, the city of Austin transformed the square to its former glory, and was later revitalized again in 2017.[5] Despite many physical changes, the historic heritage Auction Oaks survived and remain a centerpiece to the square till this day.[6]
Transportation hub
[edit]Republic Square also functions as a downtown hub for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus system, CapMetro Bus. Austin's central bus-rapid transit system, CapMetro Rapid Lines 801 and 803 share a stop next to the square (Fourth Street/Guadalupe Street for southbound buses and Fourth Street/Lavaca Street for northbound). Republic Square station provides transit travelers the option to transfer to local lines, as well as Route 20 to Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.[7] Republic Square was also a proposed stop for the Project Connect's Downtown Transit Tunnel, however, as of June 1, 2023, Republic Square is no longer a planned route on at least the light rail in the scaled back plans.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ Bueche, Shelley (July 15, 2019). "Tiny downtown Austin park had a mighty impact on the city's history". CultureMap Austin.
- ^ "Sustainable Food Center Farmers' Market Downtown". Sustainable Food Center.
- ^ a b "About". Republic Square. March 22, 2017.
- ^ "June Park of the Month: Republic Square Park". The Official Website of the City of Austin. May 31, 2012.
- ^ "About". Republic Square. March 22, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "Republic Square". Austin Parks Foundation. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "Bus & Rail Service: System Map" (PDF). CapMetro.
- ^ Moreno-Lozano, Luz. "Project Connect light rail plan gets stamp of approval from Austin City Council". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ https://www.projectconnect.com/images/librariesprovider2/2022_projects/light-rail/austin-light-rail-phase-one-map.jpg?sfvrsn=f565005d_3
