AUSTIN, Texas — A Capital Metro bus stop in East Austin is now honoring the neighborhood’s African-American legacy.

Leaders from the transit authority joined the East 12th Street Merchants Association, elected officials and other organizations Saturday to unveil plaques showcasing the history of East Austin. 

“I’s a point of pride. It’s a bit of a heart swell for a lot of folks to see their family or their neighbor or a resident or a business that they remember from yesteryear represented here in a very meaningful and rich way,” said Wayne Knox, chief of staff for Huston-Tillotson University. 

The Heritage, Pride, Prosperity series shares more than two dozen historical photos memorializing the contributions of African-Americans to not just the east end, but also the city as a whole. The photos are from the Austin History Center, and many are of businesses. 

“A lot of people have come before and done very important things for the community, and we should always remember everyone when we make big policy decision going forward,” said Randy Clarke, president and CEO of Capital Metro.  “Everyone is equal and everyone should be treated with respect, and we’re all better off when we all work together.” 

In 1928 the City of Austin Master Plan forced Black people to move to the segregated east side of Austin. But despite the discrimination, many said they are proud of their resilience and achievements. 

“We were segregated to this part of this city, and we took what was nothing and make it what it is today,” said fifth-generation Austinite Creola Burns of the East 12th Street Merchants Association. 

But as the city continues to change, it seems that in some way, longtime residents are still fighting. 

“We made it move-in ready is what I like to say,” Burns said. “There’s a lot of love here. We welcome everybody, and that’s so interesting how gentrification had kind of just taken over, because it’s almost like we didn’t see it coming.”

Burn said she hopes the artwork will inspire people to learn more about who built the community. 

“Our history will continue,” she said. “I don’t want our history just to go to the graveyard.”