Lives Remembered: Black History in Pease Park

What You Can Expect on This Tour

Walking through the park? Listen to the audio tour as you visit each stop along the trail.
Watching the tour online? Watch the video version of each stop on the tour.

The tour is designed to be both educational and reflective, offering a chance to pause, look around, and consider the hidden histories that shaped Austin.

This self-guided walking tour is about one mile long with a total of six stops. As you walk along a tree-lined path, you will be surrounded by greenery, towering live oaks, and the gentle flow of Shoal Creek. The shaded trails create a calm and reflective environment, perfect for learning and connecting with the past.

If you’re joining the walking tour, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and take your time enjoying the shade, trees, and the peaceful flow of the creek along the way.

Navigation Tip:
This tour is set up to guide you through each stop in order, but you can also switch to Map View at any time. After you click Start Tour, you’ll begin at Stop 1. At the bottom center of the screen, click the map icon to open the map and explore all stops from a bird’s-eye view.

Along the way, you will:

• Learn about the park’s early history, including the enslaved people who labored here before it became a public park, many under Governor Elijah Pease.
• Discover stories of freedom after emancipation, including how Black families used Shoal Creek for recreation such as swimming and playing, as well as for essential household needs.
• Explore nearby Freedom Communities, Black neighborhoods established after emancipation where formerly enslaved people built homes, churches, and schools.
• Experience the natural and cultural layers of the park, from historic stone features to spaces where community traditions took root.
• Enjoy a moment of reflection, taking in the natural beauty while considering the resilience of the people who shaped Austin’s history.

At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to test your knowledge with a short quiz to deepen your understanding and engagement.