Res 2026-017 Approving the City of San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan

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CITY LAND The Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 2,600 acres of park land and almost 40 miles of trails in San Marcos as well as the historic City Cemetery. CITY CEMETERY, 1874 Before the creation of public parks, city cemeteries also served as recreational spaces where residents picnicked and strolled on weekends. The San Marcos City Cemetery, founded in 1874, is located on 45 acres at 1001 Ranch Road 12 in San Marcos and is the burial ground for many Texas pioneers and veterans dating back to the War of 1812. The cemetery chapel was designated a RTHL in 1973 and listed in the NRHP in 1983. JUAN VERAMENDI PLAZA, 1972 In June 1970, the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of San Marcos purchased this property and transferred it to the Bicentennial Commission, which later became the HASM. The Juan Veramendi Historical Plaza, located at the southeast corner of C.M. Allen Parkway and Hopkins Street contains a gazebo, the Charles S. Cock House Museum, a local historic landmark that is also listed in the NRHP (1973), the Dr. Eli T. Merriman Cabin Museum, a local historic landmark, the Dr. Gwen K. Smith Fountain, the Memorial Grove, and a path to the San Marcos River. A "Liberty Tree'; a large Texas Pecan planted on the first Arbor Day in 1976, was a gift to San Marcos from the Texas Forest Service, distributed to recognize Bicentennial Cities in Texas. This tree presently centers the Memorial Grove located between the Charles S. Cock House Museum and the railroad tracks. DUNBAR PARK, 1973 Dunbar Park is located within the greater Dunbar neighborhood. It contains typical park amenities, and a local historic landmark, San Marcos Colored School Home Economics Building (Dunbar School Home Economics Building), is currently under restoration with funding from the CIP and a National Trust Preservation Fund grant. In January 2025, Dunbar Park was named a Lone Star Legacy Park, a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas. Parks of this status have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played, and rested on their grounds. Parks and Recreation staff recently accepted the award at the Texas Recreation and Parks Society annual conference. An official plaque has been installed. EDDIE DURHAM PARK Eddie Durham was born on August 19, 1906. He was a local San Marcos resident and pioneer of the electric guitar in jazz music. He was also a trombonist, composer, and arranger for the orchestras of Bennie Moter Jimmie Lunceford, and Coy Basie. He died on March 6, 1987. This park, located within the local Dunbar and NRHP historic districts, and a mural have been created in his honor. SAN MARCOS PLAZA PARK On the banks of the San Marcos River, the 5.1- acre plaza is home to a pavilion and stage where many of San Marcos' annual festival are held, including the popular Summer in the Park music series. It includes hike/bike trails, wooden deck, the historic Fish Hatchery Building, and public art: Before Us (mermaid sculpture) by Dianna Weems Squirre/with Trumoet(mini mural) by Rene Perez • Plaza Park Stage(mini mural) by Morgan Haberle Egan THE DEPOT POCKET PARK San Marcos historically had two railroad depots. The Missouri -Kansas -Texas (MKT) depot once located at the current pocket park site was demolished after passenger service ended in the 1960s. A different depot was relocated and adapted as a restaurant. While the relocated depot survives, the City -managed pocket park commemorates the site of the demolished depot, and the Parks and Recreation Department helps maintain the grounds. 82 SAN MARCOS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN (2026)