Rosewood Park (Austin, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosewood Neighborhood Park |
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Rosewood Park baseball field and Rec Center
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| Location | 2300 Rosewood Ave. Austin, Texas, USA |
| Created | 1929 |
Rosewood Neighborhood Park is a fun public park located in East Austin, Texas. It has lots of cool things to do! You can find tennis courts, playgrounds (called playscapes), a swimming pool, and even a splash pad to cool off. The park is also home to the Delores Duffie Recreation Center and the Doris "Dorie" Miller Auditorium. These two buildings together create a big space with a gymnasium. They offer many activities all year, like classes, workshops, special events, and sports tournaments.
Contents
Park History: How It Started
From Home to Park: Early Days
This park covers about 17 acres (that's like 17 football fields!) in East Austin. A long time ago, it was the home of Rudolph Bertram. He was a local store owner and the person who gave his name to the town of Bertram. In 1875, Rudolph Bertram built a large 14-room house made of limestone blocks on this land. Today, this old house is actually the Recreation Center at the park!
After Rudolph Bertram passed away, his daughter Emmie and her husband, Charles Huppertz, owned the house. Later, in 1928, the city of Austin bought the Bertram-Huppertz house and land. They wanted to create a park especially for the African American community during a time when public places were often separated. In 1929, the park officially opened with a playground and programs for kids after school.
Growing the Park: More Fun Features
Throughout the 1930s, the city added even more cool things to Rosewood Park. They built tennis courts, a swimming pool, a bandstand for music, and baseball fields. The old Bertram-Huppertz house was used as a clubhouse for athletes and a bathhouse for swimmers.
In 1944, the city began building the Doris Miller Auditorium. This building was named after Doris "Dorie" Miller. He was a brave Texan and the very first African American person to receive the Navy Cross award for his heroism.
A Historic Cabin Finds a New Home
In 1973, a very old and important cabin was moved and rebuilt right here at Rosewood Park. This cabin belonged to Henry Green Madison, a significant person in history. It was found on East 11th Street, hidden inside a larger house that was being torn down. In 1974, the Texas Historical Commission officially recognized the cabin as a State Historical Site. This means it's a special place that helps us remember the past.
