Wied Hall

Through late 19th century immigration, the population around Wied by 1910 consisted predominantly of Czech immigrants and their descendants. In the 20th century, people often incorporated Czech culture into their communities by building and popularizing recreation halls. Before Wied Hall was built, Czech and German recreation halls served as community centers, including the Wied Phoenix Schützen Verein from 1891 to 1911. In 1912, St. Mary's Catholic Church purchased that hall and converted it into a church dedicated to St. Ludmila. Seeing the need for a new recreation hall in Wied, Alois J. Kallus and a group of stockholders decided to build a dance hall on property Kallus and his wife, Terezie (Migl) Kallus, had purchased in 1910. Built in 1912, the new recreation hall served the Wied community. According to family oral tradition, Kallus built the hall for his daughters and the rest of the community to have a place to socialize. The wooden building included a stage and a nursery for young children. Meetings, dances, and large social events took place there, and Kallus often employed live musicians, including the Patek Orchestra of Shiner. Western swing band leader Adolph Hofner performed there in 1952. After Kallus sold his interest in 1946, the shareholders purchased property off Highway 90A and moved the hall. Between 1946 and 1971, it received significant renovations, including the additions of a beer stand, a new oak dance floor, and indoor restrooms. Since its founding in 1912, Wied Hall has been a center for social activity and an important remnant of the influences of Czech culture on Texas history.

Texas · United States