Tejano East Austin: From Parque Zaragoza to the Camposantos

When segregation concentrated Austin's Mexican American families on the east and south sides in the early twentieth century, they did what communities under pressure do — they built a world of their own. This drive traces the institutions that anchored Tejano Austin: a park named for a hero of Cinco de Mayo that became the cultural heart of the east side, a Catholic parish that held the community's spiritual life, the modern cultural center that carries the heritage forward, and the historic camposantos — the Mexican Catholic burial grounds — where generations were laid to rest. It is a story of resilience and continuity, of a community that turned segregation's boundaries into a homeland rich with music, faith, and tradition. The route ranges across the east and south sides, from a lively neighborhood park to quiet cemeteries, and it honors a heritage that remains a living, defining part of Austin today.