 In 2016, the San Marcos Arts Commission erected 10 mermaid statues throughout the city.Mermaids have been part of San Marcos culture since the mid-1900s, when the former Aquarena Springs began underwater performances by women dressed as mermaids.Each mermaid statue is 7 ft tall and mounted on a limestone slab to make the final height closer 9 ft. Each mermaid is decorated by a different regional artist and celebrates the art, culture and natural beauty of the city.