Wood Street Settlement at Shoal Creek
historical marker
In Austin, Travis County, Texas, a historical marker recognizes the Wood Street Settlement at Shoal Creek. The Texas Historical Commission erected this marker in 2016. Following the Civil War, this area became a settling point for formerly enslaved people. It developed as an African American settlement in West Austin during Reconstruction. Residents worked as domestic servants, cooks, and laborers, contributing to Austin's culture. The community thrived into the 1920s. After the 1928 city plan relocated African American residents, Hispanic families occupied the homes. This community persisted through the 1970s. Two original freedmen-era houses stood for over a century before their demolition in 2014. The Wood Street Settlement at Shoal Creek represents a vital part of Austin's diverse historical geography.