Shiner Texas; Historic Shiner, Lavaca County. (original) (raw)
SHINER, TEXAS
AKA Half Moon
Suggested slogan:
If you�ve got nothing to do, why not do it in Shiner?
Lavaca County, Central Texas South
29� 25' 51" N, 97� 10' 20" W (29.430833, -97.172222)
U.S. Highway 90A and State Highway 95
14 miles W of Hallettsville the county seat
20 miles S of Flatonia
18 miles E of Gonzales
ZIP code 77984
Area code 361
Population: 2,162 Est. (2019)
2,069 (2010) 2,070 (2000) 2,074 (1990)
Shiner, Texas Area Hotels ›
Hallettsville Hotels | Gonzales Hotels
"My Great Grandfather Schramm's Saloon in Shiner, Texas."
- Jay Francis, photo circa early 1900's
History in a Pecan ShellShiner began life in the mid 1880s as a trading post/ post office named Half Moon.
In an oft-repeated Texas story, the town was bypassed by the railroad. In 1887 the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway (SAAP) decided to accept an offer made by Henry B. Shiner of 250 acres of land for a depot and right-of-way if the railroad would divert through his property. People started moving to the future town as if the rails had a magnetic pull.
For brief period the town tried to get by with the name of New Half Moon, but a year after the arrival of the railroad the name was changed to Shiner. It incorporated in 1890 and very early on became predominately Czech and German.
The area has remained a cotton and corn producing region with ranching contributing greatly to the economy. The Spoetzl brewery and their variations of Shiner Beer has made the town �a household word� throughout the state of Texas.
The population of Shiner has remained relatively unchanged since 1990 when it was recorded as 2,074.
 |
"TAKE TWO, THEY'RE SMALL" Small town artillery |
|---|
Every October 2, Shiner's neighbor Gonzales commemorates the anniversary of the first shot fired for Texas independence. The original cannon was buried to avoid capture and was thought lost until a flood uncovered it in 1936. Since this coincided with the Texas Centennial, there were doubts to it's authenticity. Tests conducted in 1980 confirmed it to be the real McCoy.
The response to the Mexican request for the cannon was: "Cannon? We ain't got no cannon. We don't need no stinking cannon."
Sorry. Wrong dialogue.
History and the rebel's flag records the true response to be "Come and take it!" So Gonzales has a "Come and Take It" celebration, with a reenactment every year
Several times it has been proposed that Shiner have a "Come and take this!" celebration. But the individual has been outvoted and is usually escorted from the building.
| 
| |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | |
Absolutely Shiner
Shiner citizens are called Shinerites. This is probably the reason they changed the name from Half Moon. It's hard enough to be a Moonie, but a half Moonie?
Billed as "The Cleanest Little City in Texas", it certainly lives up to it's name.
Shiner, Texas Landmarks
Green Building entrance and threshold
Photo courtesy Stephen Michaels, July 2008
Looking up
TE photo, July 2008
Shiner Hardware entry
TE photo, July 2008
Cast iron threshold - business unknown
TE photo, July 2008
Shiner back alley textures
TE photo, July 2008
Photo courtesy Carl Owen, 2009
Shiner, Texas Attractions
- The Spoetzl Brewery
603 E. Brewery St. 361-594-3383
This is perhaps the main draw for those who visit Shiner. As you may have gathered by their recent ad campaign, Shiner Beer is "Brewed with an attitude". You can tour the brewery (Winter Monday thru Friday 11a.m. & 1:30p.m.; Summer 10& 11 a.m., 1:30 & 2:30p.m.) and find out for yourself what kind of attitude. Check out their gift/shop museum. - The Kasper Wire Works which is across the street from the brewery, also has tours, but by appointment. They celebrated their Centennial in 1998.
The introduction of barbed wire in 1874 put a serious crimp in smooth wire sales. It was either attach all those barbs or find another use for it. This is exactly what August Kasper did. From a simple woven wire basket, they are now one of the largest manufacturers of fan guards, fry baskets, and newspaper racks in the world. If you have lost money in one of these racks, do not ask for a refund here. The coin mechanism is not made by Kasper. The fact that you couldn't remove a paper after losing your money, well, that demonstrates the quality of the product. - The Edwin Wolters Museum exhibits Shiner's past and is open Mon.-Fri. 8-5, which isn't too convenient if you are a weekend visitor. You can move to Shiner, or wait for the 2nd or 4th Sunday when it is open 2-5 P.M. 306 S. Ave. I. 361-594-3774
- The 1895 Opera House, now called The Gaslight Theater puts on about three performances per year. Check with the chamber at 361-594-4180.
- Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
An architectural jewel is the 1921 Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, a red brick Romanesque Revival style structure with painted murals and magnificent stained glass windows imported from Bavaria.
- Welhausen Park in downtown Shiner features historic gazebo and various monuments, and is where Shiner shines with its lighting display beginning Dec. 1.
- Green-Dickson Municipal Park 361-594-3362
- Shiner Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 221
810 N. Avenue E, Shiner, Texas 77984-0221
Phone: (361) 594-4180
Website: http://www.shinertx.com/
Shiner Area Hotels :
Gonzales Hotels
Hallettsville Hotels
More Hotels
Photo Courtesy John Frasier
Shiner, Texas Nearby Destinations:
- Lavaca County - Towns & Ghost Towns
- Moulton
10 or 11 miles north of Shiner (the maps and signs differ) on Hwy 95.
Suggested slogan: Try writing on our water tower.
Now if your town was closest to Shiner, "The cleanest little city in Texas", why even try? But they do try, and they succeed.
Moulton Chamber of Commerce, 361-596-7205. - Palmetto State Park is not that far a drive from Shiner and a good way to spend a day in a setting unusual for this part of Texas. Take Alt.90 west, then north via US183 and FM1586 to Park Road 11, which is a scenic drive through the park. Come here to see the exceptional variety of plants, many tropical, some found no where else in the Southwest.
- Cuero and DeWitt County
For a weekend in the country, Shiner can be your take off point to enjoy the open gently rolling pastures so characteristic of this part of Texas.
See our trip to Cuero and DeWitt County, just a short drive away.
70's decal
TE photo, July 2008
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.