SIX SQUARE MILES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE

As a part of its 1928 Master Plan, the City of Austin forced Black residents to live within a 6-Square mile boundary with a goal to institutionalize racial segregation by forcing all African Americans living in Austin to relocate to Central East Austin. Over seventy-five years later, city managers began working with African American leaders to preserve landmarks integral to the history and heritage of African Americans in Austin and, together, they created the District. This area was originally named the “Negro District,” but has since been renamed and became the home of Black residents, businesses, schools, and churches. The District birthed the rich heritage and cultural contributions of Austin’s African American community. The district is home to a number of significance sites of national, regional, and local importance that celebrate African Americans and others who played important roles in creating the diversity and innovation that makes Austin attractive to businesses and creative minds worldwide today. Today, District landmarks include the Victory Grill, the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the Dedrick-Hamilton House, Huston Tillotson University, and the artistic Reflections Mural. The District’s steering committee also sponsors year-round events, including guided tours of the District.

District tours create experiences that provide connections between the past and the present, in service to telling the full story of Austin.