The east side of the Village Square in the 1930s...
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

...and today.

In 1836, Mexico's plat included a public square; the streets surrounding it reflected the Democratic nature of the area at that time, named for Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, and Monroe.  In 1839, the first courthouse was built in its center.  As early as the late 1840s, the square was an economic and social center for Mexico, from the barbecues on the courthouse lawn to the plethora of stores cropping up along the streets.  By the 1880s, the finest merchandise, food, and clothing in the county were to be had at the shops and stores of the square; these stood alongside banks, hotels, professional offices, and the post office.

The Village Square of today has changed with the times: the courthouse is the third to stand in its center, and only a handful of the old family stores are left.  However, the proprietors of the current stores and restaurants still offer the finest in antiques, crafting, dining, and specialty items, while the courthouse lawn is still home to many festivals throughout the year.