Community Support

“Muny has made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of American history, particularly in the realm of race relations. While other cities litigated to preserve the segregated nature of their golf courses, Muny set the standard by extending golf to the African American community as one of the many privileges of American life that would follow.”

“Lions is part of the narrative of racial progress not only in Austin but in the nation. Preserving it almost elevates to a sacred recognition of what took place there. My hope continues to be that the University of Texas will respect the desires of those of us who want it to not be redeveloped. And now with the considered decision of the registry officials, it appears as if our position has been affirmed. It seems to me that some serious weight needs to be given to their decision.”

“Historians searching for the impetus of the ‘classical phase of the Civil Rights Movement,’ preceding Brown v. Board in 1954 and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, have posited a ‘long civil rights movement’ that preceded those iconic struggles. In other words, Lions Municipal Golf Course is representative of the ‘birth of the civil rights movement.’”

“The action of African American citizens in Austin, Texas and the City Council in desegregating the course at such an early date is notable and recognition by the National Register should mark a teachable experience for the nation in our country’s civil rights history.”

“The National Register should embrace the site, not only for its obvious place in golf and civil rights history, but as an asset of immense historical and educational value. It is as much a piece of the American story—and potentially as powerful as a teachable experience—as the historic battlefields we protect and embrace.”

“So many of the commemorations in recent years have involved shameful events, like the oppressive violence at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. It would be good to be reminded, whenever visiting the Municipal Golf Course for whatever reason (including, most importantly, to play golf), that it was the site for a nationally significant decision that we can truly be proud of.”