DEEP IN THE HEARTS OF TEXAS
The Romance of Town Squares
WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? by Ann Marie Kennon
T
he concept of the "town square" has served as a vital component of urban life since long before European explorers adapted it for use in American settlements. Dating back to the Bronze Age, these squares have consistently served as vibrant centers of activity — a place for communities to come together to celebrate, exchange information, conduct business, or simply relish the lively atmosphere and unique lifestyles of their region. While many urban areas in America have transformed their town squares into commercial spaces like Walmarts or public art collections, the town and city squares in most parts of suburban and rural Texas have retained their historical significance. They continue to serve as not only hubs for food and entertainment but also as important connections to our collective past. Although the presence of a "town square" is not exclusive to Texas, the distinctive characteristics of these squares in the Lone Star State reflect the values and identity of its early settlers. For example, in New England, community activity centers on a village green and a picturesque setting with a white church and colonial-style buildings, while most Texas squares have evolved around and still proudly showcase grand courthouses. Both styles reflect the needs and trends of the people who settled the area; i.e., 17th century pilgrims were seeking religious liberty and built their common areas around houses of worship, while law and order was important for early Texans.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND In the late 17th century, Spain was busy creating settlements in the American southwest, and in 1718 the first Spanish-speaking settlers began to group around the San Antonio River. At that time, the Spanish Empire decreed that every town it started had to have a central square, so our earliest towns and cities followed suit with the tradition of the ancients. Later, other European immigrants built squares according to their own traditions, 34
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primarily to nurture townships and for neighbors to see and help each other through harsh winters. Over time, civic interaction began to spring up organically as the earliest town squares were gathering spaces located at the geographic center of the town, which allowed settlers and visitors alike to reach and benefit from the aggregate activity. Even government took place in the square, where citizens were already present, until city halls and courthouses were constructed.
