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Welcome to SHINER! The "Cleanest Little City in Texas" and a 1999 Texas Main Street City. Come by City Hall at 814 Ave. E (Highway 90-A) for city information. Offices are open Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or call 361-594-3362. VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
The Spoetzl Brewery, founded in 1909, is Texas' oldest independent brewery.
They still practice the art of brewing, hand-crafting each brew one
at a time, and then aging each Shiner Beer naturally for no less than
thirty days to guarantee its exceptionally smooth taste. In the tradition
of Bavarian Brewmaster Kosmos Spoetzl, Shiner's little brewery proudly
produces Shiner Blonde, Shiner Bock, Shiner Honey Wheat Ale and two
seasonal brews, Shiner Summer Stock and Shiner Winter Ale. Brewery
tours are available Monday thru Friday at 11:00am and 1:30pm. The
Hospitality Room is open after tours. Gift Shop hours are
Monday thru Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday, 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Check the
Shiner Beer website to confirm hours
or for more information.
One of Shiner's real jewels is the Catholic Church. Blessed under the names
of Saints Cyril and Methodius, two missionaries who first brought
Christianity to Bohemia and Moravia, the church is truly an awe-inspiring
sight. Dedicated in 1921, the red brick Romanesque Revival style
architecture features a majestic altar, painted murals, beautiful statues,
and astonishing stained glass windows imported from Bavaria. For more
information about the church history and present-day events, please
see their website.
Shiner's first Opera House lives again. Originally the setting for plays,
balls, political debates, church socials, town meetings and "social
hops", the opera House claimed a center of Shiner's social life from
1895 until 1927. Inactive for many years, The Gaslight Theatre was born
again in 1975 thanks to a local nun and her drama class. Today, the ornate
proscenium arch and vaudeville-style stage are all original from the
building's 1895 construction. The Gaslight Theatre is known for its
outstanding amateur productions usually held four times a year. Check the
Calendar of Events for upcoming productions.
This dinner theatre is worth the drive!
CITY PARKS
Green-Dickson Municipal Park is a 148-acre facility located at the
northwest edge of town. The park features children's playgrounds, covered
picnic areas with barbecue pits, lighted tennis and volleyball courts,
fishing, a first class baseball complex and an enclosed pavilion with
an air-conditioned dining and kitchen facility. There are also limited
spaces for overnight camping (*RV's only) with hookups. See our
City Parks page for contact information.
This one-square-block park is just up Avenue E (Highway 90-A) from
downtown Shiner. The park features a historic gazebo, children's playground,
and various monuments commemorating and describing Shiner's history.
The picturesque setting is reminiscent of yesteryear America. Magnificent
Christmas lighting display beginning December 1 of each year, and
home of the Spring and Fall Shiner Trade Fairs. Check the
Calendar of Events for this year's dates.
MUSEUMS
Two important pieces of Shiner's history have been preserved by the
Shiner Economic Development Board (EDB) and presently house period
furnishings and original artifacts. First opened in 1895, the Louis
Ehlers Cigar Factory, left, produced three favorites, the "Becky
Brown," "Katy Lee," and "Good Company." They
employed five labor union men who were paid one cent per cigar made.
One of Shiner's first prominent businessmen, William Green Jr. was
born in the rustic cabin on the right. It was built by his pioneer parents
in 1853 and later housed a post office and general store. Both buildings
are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm.
The Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum is an outstanding legacy of Shiner's
history. Its displays include an antique gun collection, old-time country
store, dinosaur bones, embroidery and hand stitchery collections, a
delightful doll display, musical instruments, an implement shed, and many
other interesting antiques. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
and every second and fourth Sunday, from 2:00 to 5:00pm.
OTHER PLACES
Built in 1927, City Hall originally included downstairs,office space for
the city secretary and city tax office, a public library, and housing for
three fire trucks; upstairs, an auditorium with 434 seats, dressing rooms
and a stage. After the opening of City Hall, plays, political rallies, and
graduation services were held there continuously for many years. The Fire
Station has since been relocated, and today Shiner's City Hall houses the
Police Station, Chamber of Commerce and City offices, and the auditorium is
used as the firemen's recreation hall.
When barbed wire was invented in the late 1800s, farmers tore down their
smooth wire fencing and replaced it with the more effective barbed wire.
Using that smooth wire, August Kaspar constructed a wire basket to carry
corn shucks. With that first basket Kaspar Wire Works began, and has since
been growing at an ever increasing rate. Still under the same family
ownership, Kaspar Wire Works is the
largest producer and renovator of newspaper racks in the world. Employing
800 people, and using the latest in technology, they also make a wide
range of specialty wire products, from precise computer components to
barber chair stands, gym and swimming pool baskets and fan guards.
In 1998, Kaspar also began manufacturing the KRG Ranch Gear brand of
truck and MPV bumpers and grill-guards. Factory tours are available by
appointment only.
Interesting Places | City & Civic Groups | Financial Businesses HealthCare Providers | General Services | Commercial Businesses Schools & Churches | Search Our WebSite | Contact Us The Shiner Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 221 · 817 N. Avenue E · Shiner, Texas 77984-0221 Phone: (361) 594-4180 · E-Mail: shinercc@shinertx.com |