Once, a mall stood here. Now, let’s explore the vibrant neighborhood of Highland in Austin. Highland’s story is one of transformation. It is a place where the past intertwines with the present.
Highland is centrally located. It is just a short distance from downtown and the University of Texas. This makes it easily accessible. IH-35, US-290, and US-183 all connect to Highland.
Around Highland, there are historic districts. Hyde Park and North Loop are nearby. New businesses and restaurants are popping up on Airport Boulevard. Crestview Station and Mueller offer even more options. Highland provides residents, students, and office workers easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Getting around Highland is easy. Capital Metro’s MetroRail Red Line serves the area. There are also many high-frequency bus routes.
Highland was once home to Highland Mall. The mall opened in 1971. It was a key part of Austin’s identity for many years. However, the mall began to decline in the early 2000s.
Before the mall, this area was a center for education. In the early 1900s, the St. John’s Orphan Home was located here. It was an important school for African American children. The surrounding farmland hosted gatherings of the St. John Regular Baptist Association. This history is remembered in St. John’s Encampment Commons, Highland’s largest park.
Just over 100 years ago, much of this land was fields and orchards. The Regular Missionary Baptist Association owned 350 acres. Reverend Jacob Fontaine led this Reconstruction-era organization.
After the Civil War, many black children were without parents. The Association built an orphanage for these children. It was outside Austin’s city limits. The first wooden building burned down under mysterious circumstances.
In 1910, the Association rebuilt the orphanage. They hired architect John Andrewartha. In 1911, the St. John’s Industrial Institute and Home for Negro Orphans reopened. It housed 300 to 500 children.
Dr. Lee Lewis Campbell oversaw the orphanage. He designed an educational system. The orphanage became known as one of the best educational institutions for African Americans in the South. Booker T. Washington praised it.
The orphanage was also a social hub. Every year, African Americans traveled to St. John’s for a conference. As many as 25,000 people came to the encampment. They attended sermons and classes.
Despite its success, the orphanage faced racism. In 1923, the Klu Klux Klan interrupted a children’s concert at the Texas State Capitol.
After Dr. Campbell’s death in 1927, the orphanage struggled. It closed in 1942. The building was abandoned.
In 1951, Austin annexed the land. In 1956, a developer bought the land. Soon after the sale, the old orphanage burned down. The circumstances were suspicious.
In 1969, construction began on Highland Mall. By 1971, farmland had become a sea of asphalt.
The creek near the orphanage still runs underground. When I-35 was built, the children’s cemetery was discovered. The coffins were moved to make way for a Denny’s.
Highland Mall thrived but eventually declined. Austin Community College and Red Leaf Properties purchased the mall. They transformed it into a mixed-use community.
Highland is a place of constant evolution. Its history is a reminder of the past. Its present is full of promise. As you explore Highland, remember its rich heritage. Envision its bright future.