One of Oldest permanently settled locales in Texas, this area was first explored by Spaniards in 1691. During Mexican Rebellion of 1813, captured rebels were placed in Comandancia (now old Governer's Palace) and later executed on Plaza. Military importance of Plaza declined in Republic of Texas Era (1836-45) but place came to be one of the liveliest spots in Texas. A busy market, it teemed with noisy vendors of vegetables, fresh eggs, chili peppers, and live chickens. Oxcarts and wagons stood bulging with hay, hides, and wood. Strolling guitarists, tourists, and girls selling songbirds mingled with pickpockets and other characters. In the 1880s and later, leading merchants here were the "Chili Queens", who dispensed pungent Mexican food at open air stands.

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