PHOTO: Newly installed street signs at the intersection of Murray Street and Main Street—originally Manchola and Calle de los Diez Amigos—display the historical names of the streets.
If you had lived in Victoria in the early 1800s, a trip through town might have taken you down a street called Libertad, Bustamante or Santa Anna.
Visitors to present-day downtown will be able to take a trip through time after the City of Victoria finishes installing a new set of street signs that display the historical names of the streets in what was once the colony of Guadalupe Victoria.
The project is part of Victoria’s bicentennial, which will be a yearlong celebration of the city’s past, present and future. However, the street signs will remain on display permanently as a reminder of Victoria’s origins.
“This is a great way to honor our Hispanic heritage and the legacy of our founder, Martín de León,” said Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Joel Novosad. “As downtown continues to grow and develop, projects such as this will help to teach residents and tourists about Victoria’s history.”
The City is not changing the names of the streets. The signs will display the historical name of the street below the current name.
Installation of the signs has already begun and will continue through early 2024.
What’s in a name?
PHOTO: A sign near the intersection of Main Street and North Street displays the original street names from the Guadalupe Victoria townsite.
The historical names of the streets were determined through original research by historian Dr. Robert Shook and verified by Victoria Preservation, Inc.
Some of the streets are named after the “ten friends”: Martín de León and other influential figures of the colonial period. Other names include Empresario, Libertad and, of course, Calle de los Diez Amigos (now Main Street).
Stay connected
To learn more about plans for Victoria’s bicentennial year, visit www.victoriatx200.com.