In the Frank Brown Journals at the Austin History Center there is part of a newspaper article that was written by Edwin Waller, who platted out Austin ‘s. Downtown in 1839, On which he pleads for people to make Republic Square a park in memoriam of its significance in history.
Edwin Waller died in 1881, but before he did, he wrote. ”We laid off that public square for the benefit of those who might inhabit Austin. It is now diverted from its object, and I believe is leased out. It should be improved and beautified as a park for the people. It was covered with wild wry knee-high grass in 1839 when the lots were sold and I think some respect should be paid to the memory of the men who dedicated it as a public park.”
He goes on to declare.
That the sale took place under some Live Oak trees on the north side of that public square. Just east of the residence of the widow of governor. AJ, Hamilton. He goes on to say. The area is evidently now somewhat neglected at the foot of Guadalupe Street between 5th and 4th. Though a big Live Oak still stands in front of the little Catholic Chapel on the north side of the square and a little to the east of the Governor Hamilton Place.
The city government was asked what provisions would be provided for the public square.
He stated that he heard for years that the tree under consideration marked the scene of the sale, and that for the past two years he had advocated the building of a handsome iron fence around the tree and marking it with a slab bearing an appropriate inscription, provided someone could identify the spot positively.
We know that that never happened. Republic Square actually today in 2025, looks nicer than it has in many years before. Though the little Catholic Chapel is gone and. Where the old hanging tree used to be is gone. Today it is rather nice and shaded place to enjoy Austin.
Jeanine Plumer
