Blackland, Austin, Texas facts for kids

Blackland is a special neighborhood in Austin, Texas. It's on the east side of the city, near Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Manor Road. This area was first settled by Swedish immigrants. They called it "Blacklands" because of its rich, dark soil.

Over time, Blackland became a mostly African-American neighborhood. This happened after the 1928 Austin city plan. This plan made many non-white residents move to the east side of Austin. For many years, up until the 1980s, there were plans to tear down parts of Blackland. This was to make room for the University of Texas campus to grow. But in 1983, the Blackland Community Development Corporation was created. This group helps build and keep homes for families who need affordable housing.

History of Blackland

Early Beginnings: Swedish Farmers

Blackland started as a farming community in the 1800s. Swedish immigrants founded it. They chose this area because the soil was very rich and dark. It was perfect for growing crops. The neighborhood was first known as "Blacklands." This name came from the Blackland Prairie, a type of land known for its fertile soil.

By the early 1900s, much of the farmland became streets and houses. Many of these first homes were built far apart on large pieces of land.

The 1928 City Plan and New Neighbors

In 1928, the city of Austin created a new plan. This plan said that important services, like schools and hospitals, would be available to African-Americans only on the east side of the city. Also, many neighborhoods in North and West Austin made rules. These rules stopped non-white people from buying homes there.

Because of these rules, many African-American families moved to East Austin. Blackland was one of these neighborhoods.

Growing Community and Challenges

In the 1930s, more African-American families moved into Blackland. They built new homes, often filling in the empty spaces between the older, spread-out houses. In the 1950s, a famous blues musician named Robert Shaw moved to Blackland. He opened a grocery store and barbershop called the "Stop and Swat."

By the 1960s, the neighborhood became known simply as "Blackland." At this time, the area faced problems. There wasn't much money invested in the community. Also, people suffered from unfair treatment because of racial discrimination.

The University's Expansion Plans

In 1965, the Texas Legislature gave the University of Texas permission to buy land for expansion. They could use a process called "eminent domain." This means the government can buy private land for public use, even if the owner doesn't want to sell.

The University started buying land around its campus, including in Blackland. They hoped to build sports fields and parking lots there. Many people bought property in Blackland that was losing value. They wanted to sell it to the University for a profit. This made rent cheaper for residents, but their homes often became run down. The University focused on expanding eastward because land there was cheaper. During these talks, the University and the City of Austin called Blackland by different names, like the "Winn Tract."

The Community Fights Back

In 1980, the University announced plans to take over a large part of Blackland. This was almost half of the neighborhood. In 1981, the Blackland Neighborhood Association was formed. This group worked to protect the homes and rights of Blackland residents. Later, this association became the Blackland Community Development Corporation (CDC).

After 12 years of discussions, the Blackland CDC and the University reached an agreement. The University was allowed to use some land to build sports fields, like the Red and Charline McCombs Field. But in return, the University gave back all the property it had bought east of Leona Street to the Blackland CDC. This was a big win for the community.