Madison Log Cabin
One of the most prominent African American heritage sites in all of Austin, the Madison Log Cabin is a great, quick stop to make for an immersive history lesson with your group.
This log cabin was built in 1863 by pioneer homesteader Henry G. Madison, who raised 8 children here alongside his wife Louise. Madison was a farmer and policeman and left a lasting legacy on the community through both his actions and his home. He eventually built a wood structure framed home to support his growing family, but he built it around the log cabin, the cabin still an integral part of the family's home. This structure was originally located on 11th Street, but it was relocated to Rosewood Park and now serves as a museum for historic relics and documents of Austin's black heritage.
The log cabin was rescued from the home built around it before it was demolished the 1970s and now rests in the shadow of the historic Bertram-Huppertz House on Boggy Creek. This land was bought by the city of Austin in 1929 and designated as an area for a park for African Americans, who were then segregated into east Austin. There was also a bandstand, pool, sports field, and the historic Doris Miller Auditorium built in the same park area.
Take some time to walk around the entire park and see the other historical attributes, such as the aforementioned Bertram-Huppertz house, the massive limestone home built in the 1870s.
