Central East Austin, Austin, Texas Explained

Central East Austin
Settlement Type:Neighborhood
Seal Type:Symbol
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Texas
Subdivision Type2:City
Subdivision Name2:Austin
Subdivision Type3:Austin Neighborhood
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Title1:Leader
Leader Title2:Leader 1
Leader Title3:Leader 2
Leader Title4:Leader 3
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:78702
Area Codes:512, 737

Central East Austin is a neighborhood in Austin, Texas, United States. The neighborhood is bounded to the south by East 7th Street, to the west by Interstate 35, to the north by East Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and to the east by Chicon Street, Rosewood Avenue and Northwestern Avenue.[1]

History

The 1928 Austin city plan set East Avenue, the site of present day Interstate 35, as the dividing line between "white Austin" and "Black Austin". African-American Austinites living west of East Avenue were denied access to public services and utilities in hopes they would be influenced to move to the city's east side. As a result of this segregation, Central East Austin is one of the city's historically Black neighborhoods and is home to many of Austin's Black institutions.[2] [3]

Education

Public primary and secondary education

Central East Austin is part of the Austin Independent School District. Blackshear Elementary School, Kealing Middle School, and Garza Independence High School are located in the neighborhood.[4]

Higher education

The Huston–Tillotson University campus is located in Central East Austin.

Recreation

Central East Austin is home to two small "pocket" parks: Lott Pocket Park and Swede Hill Pocket Park.[5]

Culture

Notable areas of the neighborhood include the Texas State Cemetery, the Oakwood Cemetery, and the Swedish Hill Historic District.

Historic buildings in the area include the Victory Grill, the Genaro P. and Carolina Briones House, the Southgate-Lewis House, the Connelly-Yerwood House, Arnold Bakery, the Haehnel Building, and the Wesley United Methodist Church. The French Legation Museum, the Texas Music Museum, and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center are among the neighborhood's cultural amenities.[6]

The nonprofit organization Six Square was founded in 2013 to preserve the Black cultural heritage of Central East Austin, including many of the neighborhood's historical buildings.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/npzd/Austingo/cea-np.pdf Central East Austin Neighborhood Plan]. City of Austin website. City of Austin. 21 October 2013.
  2. Web site: Craver . Jack . City leaders discuss legacy of segregation from 1928 plan . Austin Monitor . 20 January 2023.
  3. Web site: The District . SixSquare . 20 January 2023.
  4. Web site: Map of Schools . Austin ISD . 20 January 2023.
  5. Web site: Parkland DIrectory . AustinTexas.gov . 20 January 2023.
  6. Web site: Historical Sites & Architecture - Intro . East End Cultural District . 20 January 2023.