May. 21, 2008 - Central East Austin
Just east of IH-35, in the center of Austin, lies an area that is becoming a popular destination for Austinites looking for a central location that doesn’t come with the price tag one would pay in other centrally located areas. They also don’t lose any of the historic charm or lack of small local businesses within walking distance by moving to East Central Austin.
There are several small central east side neighborhoods, such as Blackshear and East Cesar Chavez, but the Cherrywood area is quickly becoming a new favorite; its subdivision known as French Place is being referred to as the new Hyde Park. Lying between 35 and Airport boulevard, north of Manor and south of 38th ½ Street, French Place was originally owned by the Giles family in the 1940s. It is filled with one story single family homes and some multi family duplexes, located on wide, tree-lined streets. The majority of the single family dwellings hover around the 1,000 square foot mark, and have been well maintained throughout the decades. The area has a wide variety of homeowners of different ethnicities and professions, as well as many students due to its close proximity to Concordia University and UT. Each December, the Cherrywood Art Fair is held, showcasing pieces from the area’s artists, accompanied by all day music and activities for the kids.
Central East Austin is home to several historic sites. The French Legation Museum is touted as being Austin’s oldest structure still on its original site at 802 San Marcos Street. The home was originally built in 1840 for a French representative sent by King Louis Philippe of France to determine if the Republic of Texas should be considered its own country. In 1848, the French Legation became the home of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Robertson, and it remained in their family until 1949, when it was taken over by the state of Texas.
There are two historic cemeteries in Central East Austin. The Texas State Cemetery was established in 1851, and is the final resting place for many of Texas’ state officials, dating back to the Republic of Texas days as well. Famous Texans such as Stephen F. Austin and Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock are buried here. The Oakwood cemetery is located just north of the Texas State Cemetery, and was established in the mid 1850s, and legend has it the first bodies laid to rest were victims of a Comanche Indian attack. Different sections of the cemetery are dedicated to Austin’s black, Latino, and Jewish populations.
There’s plenty of entertainment and local eatery options for those in the Central East Austin area. Live music can still be found at the historic Victory Grill, established in 1945, and was part of the original “chitlin circuit”. Across the street from the Victory Grill on East 11th street is the Longbranch Inn, a nice little bar that became so popular the owners had to buy another place on East 4th, the Scoot Inn, to make room for the crowds and live music acts. Hoovers restaurant, run by Night Hawk alum Hoover Alexander, is a great mix of BBQ, Cajun, Tex Mex and soul food. Down Manor road lies El Chile, opened by ex Jeffrey’s employee Carlos Rivero, and serves top-notch interior Mexican food and Tex Mex, with their to-go eatery El Chilito down the road. Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop on East 7th Street has been in business since 1963, serving up Mexican and baked goods from family recipes for over 40 years.
Moving to East Central Austin could snag a house hunter a nice home at a fair price, but even those not in the market for a house can spend some time taking in the history and a great meal or two.
Escapeso Realty operates as a small company in the Austin real estate market. Their site has a free mortgage calculator along with a free graphical search of the Austin MLS.
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