What Once Was Austin
Immersive (VR/AR) Experiences
The WOW: Sustainable Transportation AR Project is a youth-led, tech-forward initiative that features T-Rex and Lady Bird, two original 3D characters designed by E4 Youth’s Digital Docents, and will be activated via permanent interactive signage installed near the iconic Seaholm Power Plant.
With the motto “Know Your Past, Create a Better Future,” the project blends storytelling, sustainability, and emerging technology to spark community conversations about transportation, energy, and climate responsibility.
The Rogers Washington Holy Cross neighborhood in East Austin is a historically Black community that symbolizes resilience, pride, and cultural identity. Established during segregation, it became a haven for African American professionals, educators, and entrepreneurs who built a thriving, close-knit neighborhood despite systemic barriers.
Anchored by churches, schools, and family-owned businesses, it played a critical role in shaping Austin’s Black middle class. Today, its significance lies not only in its rich history but in its ongoing fight against gentrification and displacement. Preserving its legacy is essential to honoring the contributions of Black Austinites and maintaining the cultural fabric of East Austin.
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The Neill-Cochran House Museum, with its rare, intact slave quarters, provides a powerful lens into the history of slavery in Austin. Just blocks away, Jacob Fontaine—a formerly enslaved man—established The Gold Dollar, one of the first Black newspapers west of the Mississippi. His work gave voice to the African American community during Reconstruction, promoting education, civil rights, and economic empowerment.
Together, these sites illustrate a journey from enslavement to self-determination, highlighting the resilience and impact of Black Austinites. Their preservation offers a vital opportunity to reflect on the city’s complex past and honor those who shaped its cultural and civic foundations.
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