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
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
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]
