Largo Treze de Maio is the historical center of the current Santo Amaro neighborhood. However, this neighborhood was an autonomous city until 1935, when it was annexed to the municipality of São Paulo. The square was previously known as "Largo do Jogo da Bola" until the end of the 19th century, when its name was changed in reference to the date of promulgation of the law abolishing slavery in the country. During the 1970s, some sidewalks for pedestrians were implemented in the square due to the commercial nature of the buildings.