6 Austin Landmarks to Visit During Black History Month

Austin is filled with events and landmarks to celebrate its African American history, especially during Black History Month. See some of the best at these Austin Texas historical sites.

Barbara Jordan Statue

Barbara Jordan was the first African-American person to serve in the Texas Senate since the Reconstruction, the first African-American woman elected to the US congress from the Southern states, and the first woman to deliver a keynote address at a national party convention. Statues have been erected in her honor at the University of Texas campus where Jordan often lectured, as well as the Texas International Airport.

Barbara Jordan Statue
307 W 24th St
Austin, TX 78712
United States

Oakwood Annex Cemetery

The oldest cemetery in the city, nearly every monument and tombstone can be considered a historical landmark. A separate area of the cemetery is dedicated to the graves of former slaves, as well as African-American citizens from post-Civil War era Texas. Some names found at this site can be traced to accounts from the Battle of Alamo, one of Texas’ most infamous historical events. Oakwood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Oakwood Annex Cemetery
1600 Comal St
Austin, TX 78702
United States

Phone: +1 512-978-2320

Downs-Mabson Field

Downs-Mabson field holds a prominent spot in Texan history, as well as the history of America’s favorite pastime. The field was home to the Austin Black Senators, a professional “Negro League” team of the pre-integration era. At Downs-Mabson, you can learn about famed players such as Willie Wells, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays and Buck O’Neil.

Downs-Mabson Field
2816 E 12th St
Austin, TX 78702
United States

Phone: +1 512-974-6700

Texas African American History Memorial

This memorial is one of the newer monuments to open in Austin. Opened in 2016, it serves multiple purposes including the commemoration of Texas’ African-American population. Sculpted by Ed Dwight, the memorial represents African-American history beginning in 1500. It includes elements acknowledging Juneteenth (June 19th, 1865): the day African Americans finally received news of their emancipation.

Texas African American History Memorial
100 W 11th St
Austin, TX 78701
United States

The Limerick-Fraizer House

This Swede home was built in 1876 by Joseph Limerick, and was purchased by John W. Fraizer in 1905. It was later used by his widow as a lodge for African-American travelers and students during the segregation era.

The Limerick-Fraizer House
810 E 13th St
Austin, TX 78702
United States

The Colored Teachers State Association building

This building was used as a headquarters of the Association For African-American Teachers, from 1952 to 1966. It was designed by John S. Chase, the state’s first African-American architect, and became a social center for the neighborhood when the family of Ella Mae Pease purchased it for use as a hair salon. In 2017, the property was purchased by the University of Texas, in order to protect and preserve Chase’s legacy.