Gilberto C. Rivera

Austin's Rosewood Neighborhood (Images of America) Gilberto C. Rivera

Rosewood is a historically African American neighborhood on the east side of Austin. It takes its name from Rosewood Avenue, which runs through the heart of the area. Rosewood was first settled by Europeans in the late 19th century, and beginning in the 1910s, the City of Austin adopted as official policy the goal of segregating African Americans in East Austin. Rosewood has been the official home of Austins Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day, celebration. June 19th was the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texastwo years after the fact. The exact location of the celebration has changed over the years, but whether it was Emancipation Park or Rosewood Park, Austins major Juneteenth event has always been in Rosewood.