The fate of the public market space.

(From the photo archive at the library's Indiana Room)

But could they sell local beer at the farmers market way back then?

The 10 Greatest US Public Markets That Met the Wrecking Ball, by David K. O'Neil (Project for Public Spaces)

It is no secret that market halls, market sheds, and market districts were once more prevalent in American cities than they are today. Hundreds of markets burned down, were demolished, were removed for “higher and better uses” (oh, how I hate that term), or were replaced with empty “market squares”. Most towns, large and small, had at least one market that usually served as one of the most important, centrally located institutions in a growing city. Local economies were built around markets, which offered affordable opportunities to people who were looking to start a small business and vital lifelines connecting consumers and producers.