From barbershops to churches to sprawling mansions, the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side is home to many establishments with a long history and residents who are eager to maintain and revitalize the community.

An American flag blows in the wind in front of a house on Race Avenue. Houses near the Austin Town Hall on Race and Midway Park avenues are all considered a part of Austin’s Historic District. Many of the houses are about 100 years old, and reminiscent of a time when Austin was a sought-after neighborhood for families commuting to downtown in the early 20th century.

A little farther south at 5412 W. Madison St. sits MacArthur’s Restaurant, a neighborhood staple known for its soul food. Kitchen manager Louis Mosley prepares cube steaks early every morning in preparation for the customers of the cafeteria-style restaurant. Mosley has been the kitchen manager for more than 10 years. “We run a tight schedule for preparing food,” he said.

Longtime employee Alfonso Nash pours candied yams into warming trays. “When we first opened across Madison Street, the lines were so long that the fire marshal was called and pretty soon we were forced to move to this larger location,” said Vanessa Alexander, who has been a manager at MacArthur’s since it opened.
Grace has an eye for creating moving images