San Antonio City Hall, Military Plaza, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX

Significance: San Antonio City Hall is situated in the center of Military Plaza (Plaza de Armas) established in 1722 by the Spanish settlers of Texas who earlier had established a garrison on San Pedro Creek which runs along the western border of the plaza. The plaza has had a long history as the seat of government. Moses Austin came here in 1820 seeking permission from the Spanish governor to settle Anglo-American colonists in Texas. Construction of the present City Hall in the center of the plaza in 1888-91 put an end to the open air market, the "Chili Queens" and the rowdy activities of the cowboys, cattlemen and gamblers who frequented the plaza outside the early Old Spanish Governor's Palace and "Bat Cave" jailhouse. The Italianate Renaissance Revival style building, designed by a prominent architect known for his work in New York, Chicago, and St. Louis changed the character of Military Plaza from an open market area to the center of municipal government.
Survey number: HABS TX-222
Building/structure dates: 1889 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1927 Subsequent Work