Let's give that no-name peninsula a name.
Recent articles in the American-Statesman about improvements to the Butler Hike and Bike Trail on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake in East Austin referred to a lonely "unnamed peninsula."
Huh. I've walked that old part of the trail many times and never noticed that it lacked a name.
A perfect opportunity for the "Austin Answered" column: What should we christen this strip of dry land?
My first thoughts led to Latino community leaders and activists from East Austin whose names are not already dedicated to a park, school, community center or other public amenity.
At the same time, we've witnessed the passing of green warriors who have preserved and promoted our parks, lakes and creeks, and this trail in particular. Maybe an environmentalist?
Why not both? Perhaps somebody who helped power the long fight for environmental justice, such as a leader of PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources)?
Naming customs dictate it should be someone already deceased. Please send in a nomination with a very short tribute to mbarnes@statesman.com.
Hispanic neighborhood heroes
The Holly Street and Cesar Chavez neighborhoods, which border the lake and trail east of Interstate 35, have been home to Latino communities since World War II. Previous to that, the long street grids of old trees, fertile gardens, wide front porches and sturdy bungalows primarily attracted Swedish, Scottish and German families.
In one of the most short-sighted — and racist — moves in modern Austin history, these lovely neighborhoods were chosen as the site for the noisy and dangerous Holly Street Power Plant during the 1950s. That industrial plant, now decommissioned and largely demolished, spawned Lady Bird Lake — then Town Lake — which was impounded in order to provide water to cool the turbines.
A preliminary search for places already named after Hispanic community trailblazers turned up some familiar folks: Ed Rendon Sr. (park), Gustavo "Gus" García (recreation center, school), George Sánchez (school), Nash Hernandez Sr. (street), Raul "Roy" Guerrero (park), Jesse E. Segovia (street) and Rudolph "Rudy" Mendez (recreation center).
More names came to mind: Genaro P. Briones (street), Consuelo Herrera Mendez (school), Richard Moya (park), Emma Barrientos (cultural center), Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho (community center, street), John Treviño (park), Limón family (street) and Consuelo “Connie” Ruiz (library).
Hispanic peninsular candidates
Among those Latino community leaders not yet memorialized with place names (that I could find):
- Danny Camacho: Community historian, Camacho was the son of activist Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho. He worked at the Austin History Center and was a longtime resident of Canterbury Street.
- Josefina Zamarippa: Mother of 14, Zamarippa raised her children while advocating vigorously for East Austin.
- Johnny Limón: East Austin community leader, he was part of the huge Limón family, a person who helped everyone who needed help.
- Alicia García: East Austin community organizer, García helped fix flood-prone Boggy Creek while advocating for Govalle.
- Sonny Falcón: Known as the "Fajita King," Falcón popularized the tender beef dish, and is credited with inventing it. He is buried at the Texas State Cemetery.
- Arnold García: Pioneering Hispanic journalist and longtime editorial columnist for the American-Statesman, García kept a keen eye on the East Austin community.
- Paul Hernandez: East Austin native and longtime activist, Hernandez helped found the Brown Berets and several neighborhood associations. He served on the front lines during several major protests.
- Roy Velasquez: Owner of the namesake taxi company, Velasquez was among the East Austin business leaders who worked behind the scenes.
- Rudy "Cisco" Cisneros: His restaurant was — and still is — a nexus of political and cultural contact.
- Joe Avila: Owner of Joe's Bakery, Avila created the perfect environment for community gatherings.
- Jorge Durán Guerra: A formidable advocate for the community, Guerra founded El Azteca family business.
- Soledad Guardiola Guajardo: Mother-in-law to Falcón, Guajardo ran a community grocery store in East Austin and was one of the city's few women business people who ended up powerbrokers before Hispanics could hold office.
- Rosalio "Rabbit" Duran: Associated with Latino community softball leagues, Chicano politics and Duran's eponymous bar on East Sixth Street.
While all of these make fine candidates, it might make sense to choose from those who actively lobbied against the Holly Street Power Plant.
Green leaders already lionized
Recent research, especially by documentary maker Karen Kocher, has shown that Austin champions of green spaces go back further than the 1970s, when environmental activism became a core part of the city's identity.
Among those deceased advocates already remembered with place names: Lady Bird Johnson (lake, wildflower center), Roberta Crenshaw (park lookout), Emma Long (park), Shudde Fath (park grove), Beverly Sheffield (park theater), Margaret Hofmann (tiny park), Roy and Ann Butler (trail), Lou Neff (street, park point), Mary Mayfield Gutsch (park), Mary Moore Searight (park) and Frank Taylor Ramsey (park).
Endorse Green candidates for naming glory
Here's where my job as columnist got harder.
Many of those who championed the environment and environmental justice during the modern era are still alive, a reason for gratitude, not disappointment.
Send in endorsements of qualified candidates, and we'll run another column, and, with the help of the Trail Conservancy, the nonprofit that oversees the hike and bike route, maybe name a peninsula.
Send your questions — or answers — about Central Texas past and present to "Austin Answered" at mbarnes@statesman.
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