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Desegregation in Austin

Five Decades of Social Change: A Timeline

This web project presents an annotated chronology of major events in the desegregation of Austin, Texas, from 1940 to 1980 as they appeared in local newspapers and other materials such as the Austin Files (AF) in the archives at the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. The timeline is intended as a guide to key events necessary for an understanding of this extraordinary time in the city’s history.

 

 

Key
Local African American firsts Local African American firsts
University of Texas at Austin (UT) facts University of Texas at Austin (UT) facts
Local desegregation facts Local desegregation facts
Statewide desegregation facts Statewide desegregation facts
National desegregation facts National desegregation facts

Note: The Austin American-Statesman newspaper had several name changes over the five decades covered in this timeline. The variations reflect usage for that time—Austin Statesman, The Austin Statesman, The Austin-Statesman, The Austin American, The Austin American-Statesman, American Statesman, The American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman.

overview | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | all

1974
Local desegregation facts Six 6th grade centers open at the start of the school year. [AF-Segregation-Public Schools-S1700 (2)-1974; The Austin American-Statesman (Evening Edition), “Desegregation Chronology,” November 22, 1977]
Local desegregation facts A hearing is held in federal court on the proposed construction of Sanchez, Houston and Williams elementary schools; construction is delayed due to government and intervenor objections. [AF-Segregation-Public Schools-S1700 (2)-1974; The Austin American-Statesman (Evening Edition), “Desegregation Chronology,” November 22, 1977]
Local desegregation facts Intervenors agree to proposed sites for Williams, Sanchez and Houston elementary schools and construction begins. Austin ISD submits proposals for a new southwest high school and northeast junior high, and the government objects to both. [AF-Segregation-Public Schools-S1700 (2)-1974; The Austin American-Statesman (Evening Edition), “Desegregation Chronology,” November 22, 1977]