San Antonio: St. Paul Square Historic District

Commercial buildings along a street

St. Paul Square (San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation)

Commercial street along side railroad tracks

St. Paul Square Historic District and Depot

Tile mural with drawing of three women with coffee cups in front of a small wood framed building

Nearby Ellis Alley historic district

Colorized postcard of Sunset Depot, San Antonio, Texas. Building has curved arch entrances with two square side towers and a large round sign in the center saying Sunset Route 1802

Sunset Depot

Two storey commercial building on a corner with palm trees in front

Southern Pacific Passenger Depot

Passenger train on a side track at a passenger boarding platform

Train at the Southern Pacific Passenger Depot

Procession in front of a small church with notation – St. Peter Catholic Church, Nolan Street, San Antonio, 1903 (notice lilies)

St. Peter Claver Church on nearby Nelson St. (Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate)

St. Paul Square—also known as the Southern Pacific Depot Historic District—was a flourishing mixed race community from the late 1800s, where many African American businesses and community centers thrived. The district’s name is derived from the Old St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, which served area residents. Following the arrival of the railroad in 1877, the area experienced significant growth and then expanded further in 1902 after the Southern Pacific Passenger Depot was constructed.

St. Paul Square is currently undergoing a revitalization campaign to retain its heritage lead by the St. Paul Square Association.

St. Paul Square Historic District
  • Bounded by Center Street, the railroad tracks, and IH-37, San Antonio, TX
  • 210-474-7640
  • Visit Website
  • National Register of Historic Places
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