Creek'sHistoric Black Roots
Creek'sThe portion of today's Bouldin Creek neighborhood between South Congress Avenue and South First Street, from the Texas School for the Deaf to Oltorf Street was known as the Brakenridge neighborhood, named for the elementary school of the same name, which has since been razed.
Census data suggests that this area was primarily a black neighborhood up until about the 1940's. The 1900, 1910 and 1920 Census shows an almost 100 percent black make-up with black seamstresses, laborers, masons, and business people living in Brakenridge. Several black churches still stand in the area and have loyal followings.
The building now housing the Herb Bar, 200 West Mary Street at Eva, was built by Mr. Robert S. Stanley and served as a general store from the turn of the century until the 1930's. Stanley's second wife, Jennie, ran the store. The Stanleys were one of the first African American families to have their own small business in South Austin.
The Historic Stone Stanley House at 1811 Newton Street at West Mary was built by Robert Stanley in 1895 with help from his brothers. It is one of the few homes in South Austin with a basement. The house was heated with four pot belly stoves and had no electricity unitil the 1920's. Many children, step-children and grandchildren were raised here by the Stanelys.