6 of 7   Colonial Life Living Room. The Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio, Texas was originally built to house the presidio commander. It became the seat of Texas government in 1722 when Villa de San Fernando (San Antonio) was made the capital of the Spanish Province of Texas. The structure was faithfully restored in 1930.
	CIVIC ARCHITECTURE he original conquistadores lived in the palaces of pre-Columbian rulers before building their own impressive houses. Hospitals and schools were built almost immediately after the Conquest, to provide for the needs and indoctrination of both Indians and Spaniards. Indigenous aqueducts were improved or expanded. Viceroys built sumptuous palaces, and the complex bureaucracy that replaced the conquistadores required new civic buildings. The traditional Spanish grid was used for town planning. When towns were laid out, a building for municipal government was placed on the main plaza along with the church, military headquarters, and governor’s house. As towns grew, original town halls were rebuilt and expanded into dignified structures with impressive colonnades, large patios, and luxurious ornamentation. Fountains decorated colonial plazas and provided residents with water.
	Stairway. The Spanish Governor's Palace, San Antonio, Texas.