Wall of Welcome at Crestview Shopping Center in Austin,TX 78757 Covers 50+Years of History

Not long ago the brick wall that shielded residents from back entrance of businesses in the Crestview Shopping Center along Woodrow was just that.... A roughly 6 foot, plain brick wall. Then Brentwood resident Jean Graham had a vision to celebrate the history and character of two great Austin Neighborhoods, Crestview and Brentwood. That kick started the Violet Crown Festival, held in Brentwood Park next to the Elementary School to raise funds for the tile mosaic project. Hundreds of neighbors would eventually help out, and many created their own special tile portraying personal and family history.

The tiles would be installed along the 120 foot long wall recreating fond memories and pulling a community together. Today people can be found daily walking the wall to admire the work Jean, and hundreds more residents, who carefully made and placed tiles. Not only do the pictures tell a story, there is actually a historical account which beautifully fits in amongst the art work. You won't be able to read the print when watching the video below, but make sure you stop to read the grey circles for blurbs of information. I learned Austin's first drive-in theater, Joseph's, opened at Justin Ln and Lamar in 1940!

Here is a short video, with poor production, walking from the South end to the North end of this beautiful masterpiece. But don't take my word, swing over to the Little Deli for lunch and walk the wall before heading back to the office.