| Market Square Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Municipal (Houston) |
| Location | Downtown Houston |
| Created | 1854 |
| Operated by | Downtown Redevelopment Authority |
| Status | Open year round |
Market Square Park is a public park in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States. It is bounded by Travis, Milam, Congress and Preston streets. It has remained a geographic centerpiece of Downtown Houston since the arrival of the city's founders, John Kirby and Augustus Chapman Allen in 1836.
The square was donated to the city in 1854 by Augustus Allen and was used as an open air produce market. Very near Allen's Landing, the original port of Houston, the downtown business district grew around the square. Early city landmarks included the briefly used Texas Capitol and White House. In addition, several City Halls rose and fell at Market Square, each destroyed by fire.[1]
The historic square is surrounded by 19th century architecture, housing a variety of businesses, entertainment venues, nightclubs and dining establishments. Market Square is located directly between Allen's Landing and the Theatre District.
It is a central feature of the Main Street/Market Square Historic District, a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.