Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, exhibit “To Emancipate”.
The Communities
Black Freedom Communities
Austin, Texas was home to numerous Black freedom communities—neighborhoods built by formerly enslaved people and their descendants who cultivated land, established churches, and created self-sustaining lives. Over time, many of these communities were disrupted and displaced due to systemic injustices, including racism, discriminatory city planning, forced removal, urban renewal, and the rising cost of living. As affordability declined, longtime residents were priced out of the neighborhoods they helped build, reshaping the landscape of Austin.
Today, only Clarksville remains—recognized as a historic district and a lasting symbol of the strength and resilience of Austin’s Black communities. While it continues to hold cultural significance, only a few Black families still reside there
Our film will showcase historical information about these communities. Click on the freedom community below to learn about each specific community. All information is provided by the African-American Settlement Survey Travis County, Texas prepared by Hicks & Company Elizabeth Porterfield, MSHP for Travis County Historical Commission.
To learn more about other freedom communities, read the African-American Settlement Survey Travis County, Texas.
Map provided by Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, exhibit “To Emancipate”.
Click on the map to zoom in and explore a specific community.To view a full list of all communities, click the “i” icon in the top-left corner of the map.
