Restoration, 1939
Restoration, 1980

"The Little Village" was San Antonio's original (1768) Spanish residential quarter and is one of San Antonio's key historic districts today. More than 25 architecturally significant structures and three large plazas comprise the district. Owned by the city, the area was originally restored by O'Neil Ford in 1939 as part of a National Youth Administration project, preserving a visual record of the types of buildings that were once typical throughout the city.

The city of San Antonio retained Ford, Powell & Carson and an associate architect a second time in 1980 to redirect the restoration of La Villita. Goals included substantial site development modifications and architectural restorations. Among the considerations of the master plan were management policies, appropriate uses of the area, and design guidelines for architecture, site development and wayfinding systems. Pedestrian circulation and public gathering places were improved, and restroom and service facilities were appropriately located. The use of new paving materials, low stone walls and landscaping reinforced the unique village character. Approximately 30 shops and restaurants attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.