The cemetery, located at 1300-1308 Springdale Road, is the oldest known Black cemetery in Austin and one of the city’s most significant sites of Black heritage. Preservation Austin is honored to partner with Bethany Cemetery Association President Sue Spears-Martin to prepare and bring forward this nomination. 

Austin City Council unanimously voted to designate the Goins-Versea-Nitschke House (907 E 13 St) as a City of Austin Landmark and protect the building from demolition by owner Eureka Holdings. The 140+ year-old building is one of the oldest houses in the Swede Hill area, and is a landmark of East Austin’s working-class German and African American history.

Sue Spears-Martin is a native Austinite and veteran community organizer. Sue has been involved with Bethany Cemetery, the city’s first cemetery exclusively for African Americans, since the 1990s. Since then she has been dedicated to safeguarding the site’s rich heritage through preservation and community engagement.

Preservation Austin and our partners secured Council's vote to SAVE 1500 East 12th Street from demolition by Eureka Holdings. We needed a supermajority vote of 9 of 11 members to designate and against all odds we GOT EM!

On Thursday, December 12, Austin City Council will vote to designate 1500 East 12th Street as a City of Austin Landmark and protect it from demolition. This century’s old building, which is owned by Dallas-based developer Eureka Holdings, is currently threatened with demolition. Click to learn more and help us #SaveEast12th

The Chicana struggle during the Economy Furniture Strike represents the larger aspirations of economic justice in the East Austin community, and the challenge of all working-class women in Labor movements. Through the difficult experiences of these women, activists of today can find hope in the resolve of Chicanas at Economy Furniture to radically advocate for a better relationship to their labor. 

Preservation Austin is thrilled to share that East Austin’s Green & White Grocery was officially designated a City of Austin Landmark. From the store’s founding during segregation to its endurance in the face of gentrification and increased displacement, the story of Green & White Grocery is a testament to the resilience of Austin’s Mexican American community.

In anticipation of Green & White Grocery becoming a City of Austin Historic Landmark this year, we are thrilled to share the work of Fowler Family Underrepresented Heritage Intern, Matthew Medina, and Preservation Austin Board Member, JuanRaymon Rubio, who assisted in the preparation of this landmark application.