Street Smarts: How Well Do You Know Your Streets?

East 11th and 12th Street

Historic & Happening

On the surface, this block of East Austin is a foodie’s paradise. With several award-winning restaurants popping up the last few years, as well as a plethora of long-time staples and a variety of food trucks, it is easy to see why this section of East Austin is a local fave. But lingering just below this tasty façade are plenty of historic stories that make East Austin what it is today. 

A cornerstone of this area is the Downs Mabson Field. Still in use, this community baseball field managed by the Austin Parks Foundation today hosts the Huston-Tillotson Rams, among other local teams and organizations. The field once hosted Austin’s Texas Negro League baseball team: Austin Black Senators. This legendary team touted talented players such as Willie Wells, and the field itself was graced by giants such as Satchel Paige, Hilton Smith, Toni Stone, and Joe Williams. Today, these heroes are honored by vibrant mosaics, designed by Reginal Adams, that stand tall and welcome players  and fans as they enter the newly renovated ballpark. 

On East 11th Street, the Historic Victory Grill has been a dependable landmark of the area since 1945. This burger joint and blues club is responsible for putting East Austin on the music map, hosting acts as varied and dignified as James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, and Etta James over the years.

Insider Knowledge:
*Pio Renteria (former city council) did work to get rid of motorized boats in Town Lake in the 1990s. This not only raised values of the Holly neighborhood tremendously, but it also gave rise to dragon boat racing and other man-powered watercrafts. 
*Commercial square footage is more expensive in East Austin than in Westlake.