The historic Waco Square was one block west of The Suspension Bridge. Bridge Street led from The Suspension Bridge to the Square. The Square was between 2nd and 3rd Streets and North Square Street and Southside Square Street. The Square sat at the easternmost end of Austin Avenue. Waco City Hall was located in the middle of the Square. The Square suffered heavy damage in the 1953 tornado, but much of it was rebuilt. Urban Renewal in the late 1960s and early 1970s removed the Square from our city, and all that remains is Waco City Hall.
South Side of Square, 1909
Austin Avenue meets the Square
at the right.
Waco City Hall, 1912 
Bird’s Eye View of the Square, 1910
From the American Amicable Building.
Bird’s Eye View of the Square, 1910
From the American Amicable Building.
North Side of the Square, 1916
Preparing to clean up debris after a flood.
North Side of the Square, 1915
1915 Texas Cotton Palace Parade
Texas Governor Jim Ferguson
seated next to man in white.
North Side of the Square, 1915
1915 Texas Cotton Palace Parade
South Side of the Square, 1909
The Square was located a half block north of Franklin Avenue.
First National Bank
West Side Square
S. 3rd at Banker’s Alley
Waco Saddlery Company
“Percy Willis on the Square”
Jurney Hardward, c. 1910
219 North Side Square
View of Square from Old Post Office
S. 4th and Franklin
The Square, c. 1880
Major George B. Erath (circled) at center left under Lone Star Banner.
The Square around time of Civil War 
The Square visible in this
Artist/Balloonist Concept of Waco, 1873
City Hall Fountain frozen. West Side of Square. Masonic Hall at S.3rd and Austin, First National Bank, Bismark Saloon. 
City Hall on Flag Day, 1898 
The Waco Square, South Side, 1912 
Kate Friend animal fountain on the Square. Waco City Hall on the left, old McLennan County Courthouse tower at right. 
Looking up Austin from City Hall steps, 1898. 
View of parade on Austin Avenue
from City Hall steps, 1897
Waco Fire Department demonstrates a new pumper, 1907
Salvation Army Christmas Party on the North Side of Square, 1914 
S. 3rd and Austin Avenue view from
Waco City Hall, c. 1916
The West Side of the Squre (S. 3rd St.) badly damaged in the 1953 tornado. 
Second McLennan County Courthouse on the Square, c.1865 
West Side of Square, c. 1865 
Masonic Temple Fire, West Side of Square
SW Corner of 3rd and Austin July 18, 1909
Bird’s Eye View from the old McLennan County Courthouse at
S. 2nd and Franklin Avenue
Aerial view, shot from a plane, of the Square with the old City Hall. Before 1930. 
North Side of Square
N.3rd and North Side Square Street
South Side of Square
S. 3rd and South Side Square Street
Pete’s Hamburgers
South Side of Square
S.3rd and South Side Square Street
This photo of the Square reflects damage and reconstructionafter the 1953 tornado. 
West Side of the Square.
South 3rd and Banker’s Alley
Herrick Hardware
North Side of Square
Washington Avenue behind it
The First McLennan County Courthouse
SW Corner of the Square, at S. 3rd Street
City Hall Fountain Frozen, 1909
West Side of Square
3rd and Austin Intersection in distance
The 1930 Waco City Hall 
East Side of Square and Bridge Street
From atop Waco City Hall
City of Waco Workers on South Side of Square, 1948 
N.3rd and North Side Square Street 
100 Block of N. 3rd Street, July 5, 1951
West Side of Square
Waco Square 1952 
100 Block N. 3rd June,1970 
South Side of Square March, 1969 
North Side Square, looking West
March, 1969
West Side Square, 2nd Street
looking South
S. 3rd Street, looking south from
City Square March, 1969
100 Block of N. 3rd
From Washingto Avenue, looking South
March, 1969
100 Block of N. 3rd
From Washingto Avenue, looking South
March, 1969
100 block of S. 3rd, looking South
March, 1969
100 block of S. 3rd
March, 1969
100 block of S. 3rd
March, 1969
North Side of City Square, looking West
March, 1969
Waco, Texas History in Pictures 