Historic Sites & Architecture

The East End District contains a significant number of historic/heritage sites with prior local, State, and/or Federal designation. Huston Tillotson University (representing the merger of Sam Huston College, founded in 1875, and Tillotson College, established in 1876), a faith-affiliated private university, is Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning and a charter member school of the United Negro College Fund. Rosewood, Booker T. Washington, Santa Rita, and Chalmers Court public housing projects, constructed as part of the Works Project Administration and the 1937 US Housing Act were among the first (if not the first) federally-funded public housing projects completed in the United States; and are still in operation. The French Legation (built 1840-41), originally the residence of the French chargé d’affaires to the Republic of Texas, still today sits atop Roberson Hill, just off East 11th Street and is operated as a museum by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The Legation building is considered Austin’s oldest existing residence. The original building of the George Washington Carver Museum is located adjacent to the Carver Cultural Center and Museum and the Carver Branch of the Austin Public Library. The building, originally constructed in 1926, downtown at 9th and Guadalupe Streets as the first home of the Austin Public Library, was in 1933 moved to Angelina Street and served for years as the “Colored Branch Library.” In 1979 the City of Austin constructed a new branch library in Central East Austin, adjacent to the original building, and began operation of the George Washington Carver Museum in the historic building. The Museum is now listed as Texas’ first African American neighborhood museum. The Texas State Cemetery (East 11th Street) was established in 1851 as the Republic’s official final resting place for elected officials, military heroes, diplomats, and dignitaries. The site contains the graves of significant Texans that include General Edward Burleson (served with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto and as Vice President of the Republic of Texas), Stephen F. Austin, General Albert Sidney Johnston, Governor Allan Shivers, Governor John Connally, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, and Governor Ann Richards. US Representative Barbara Jordan was the first African American buried in the Cemetery (1996). The Victory Grill (1945) is the sole remaining live music venue along the East 11th Street Corridor that links present day East Austin to the historic heyday of the African American live music scene of the past. The Grill is listed on state and national historic registers, and is a stop on the National Chitlin Circuit Trail. Within the heart of the District there are at least three churches first established more than 100 years ago and still active: Ebenezer Baptist, Wesley Methodist, and Metropolitan A.M.E.

Hoover's Cooking

Hoover Alexander’s  cooking roots run deep through Texas, just like the flavors in his food.
As a fifth generation Texan, born and raised — with family throughout, including small townships like Pilot Knob, Manchaca and Utley Texas, Hoover and his cooking are inspired by Texas itself.
The different flavors on his menu are representative of the many cultures and people who make up the great state.

Location

Hoover's Cooking
2002 Manor
Austin, TX, 78722

Sam's Bar B Q

Location

Sam's Bar B Q
2000 East 12th
Austin, TX, 78702

Ms B's Authentic Creole Cuisine

Location

Ms B's Authentic Creole Cuisine
1050 East 11th
Austin, TX, 78702

Lewis BBQ

Location

Lewis BBQ
1814 Harvey
Austin, TX, 78702

Gene's New Orleans Style Po Boys & Deli

Location

Gene's New Orleans Style Po Boys & Deli
1209 East 11th
Austin, TX, 78702

Holy Cross Catholic Church

In 1936, Reverend Francis R. Weber, C.S.C. gathered a local group of baptized and confirmed Catholics into the home of the William M. Tear’s family residence of 1203 E. 12th st. It was established as a Diocesan Parish that grew beyond the home within a few short months when a site had finally been obtained on which to build. Within the decade the Holy Cross Hospital and Catholic Schools were added to the grounds. Holy Cross has a proud history of strong community leadership with some of its nascent all the way to contemporary membership serving in Austin ISD as well as the NAACP.

Location

Holy Cross Catholic Church
1610 East 11th Street
Austin, TX, 78702

Ebenezer (Third) Baptist Church

Ebenezer (Third) Baptist Church
“The Stone of Help”

Blurb:

Location

Church
1010 East 10th Street
Austin, TX, 78702

French Legation

 The French Legation house, now located east of I-35 on 802 San Marcos Street, is the only structure a foreign government has erected on American soil.  Built in 1840-1841 at the commission of Monsieur Jean Pierre Isidore Dubois de Saligny, chargé de affairs for the French government in Texas.  After Dubois de Saligny left Austin and Texas became a part of the Union, the house passed into the hands of the Robertson family, who held it until the mid-twentieth century.  The house stood amidst the waves of immigrants who settled in the area surrounding it, from Swede

"the soul in the heart of the city"

Blues Boy HubbardWelcome to East Austin, Texas and the East End Cultural Heritage District!

While you visit us here, we hope your stay will be informative, thought provoking, and entertaining.

Historically, The East End refers to the area adjacent to what is now the intersection of 12th and Chicon Streets. In this usage, the “End” traditionally referred to the end of the streetcar and trolly line in the days before Austin had public city bus service. Though we use East End in the title of the website, our purview is the area historically settled and populated by African Americans in Central East Austin. This more general Central East Austin area is our focus, as this is the community that now comprises the City of Austin designated African American Cultural Heritage District (2007).

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