Events

When you think of San Antonio, you think the Alamo, the Riverwalk, the Spurs, tourism, Mexican cuisine. You don’t necessarily think Black culture. The African American population is only 7%, which is one of the smallest for a U.S. city of this size. But there is a rich Black history here in San Antonio known to few.

On this historic tour of the city’s “Eastside,” we strive to shed light on this important story by visiting some of San Antonio’s most notable African American landmarks and locations. We will take a ride to visit over 18 monumental sites significant to the Black community here in the Alamo City, including:

• Carver Cultural Community Center (formerly the Colored Branch Library) – originally erected in 1918, as a community center for African Americans
• Phyllis Wheatley High School – first built in 1932 as one of the only high schools for African-American students during the time of segregation.
• Ellis Alley – One of the first settlement areas where African Americans purchased land and houses in the late 1800s/early 1900s post-Emancipation.
• Ella Austin Orphanage – founded in 1897 as the first home for African American orphans in San Antonio