Broken Spoke

In 1964, Austin native James M. White (1939-2021) opened Broken Spoke, a new dance hall and restaurant south of the city limits at a former lumberyard on South Lamar. Designed in the style of a traditional honky tonk, it drew patrons who danced to jukebox records and live bands on weekends. Its popularity led White to enlarge the facility with a dance hall and stage, and by hiring local bands from across the Austin area he soon brought country music legends such as Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Tex Ritter, and Kitty Wells to perform there. Continued performances by later generations of musicians, along with appearances in movies, songs, music videos, and travel articles, helped make Broken Spoke a cultural treasure.

Austin, Texas · United States