Interesting Places - Shiner, Texas

Welcome to Shiner ... the "Cleanest Little City in Texas" and a 1999 Texas Main Street City. Come by City Hall at 802 N. 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 • City Parks • Museums • Hot Spots • Other Places • Local Companies

Shiner Landmark Maps: GIF or PDF formats

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

The Spoetzl Brewery

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 Light, and several other specialty brews ... depending upon the season.

Brewery tours are available Monday thru Friday at 11:00am and 1:30pm (and more during the summer). 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.

Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church

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.

In 1994, a total renovoation of the church began with the bell tower being repaired and a stained glass window of the Good Shepherd installed above the main entrance at the front of the church. In 1995, the interior walls were repainted and sealed, carpet was laid throughout the church floors, pews were repaired and stained, and statues were touched up.

Almost 100 years after its dedication, the church is still known as one of the most eye-catching landmarks in South Central Texas, drawing visitors from around the world who stop regularly to photograph and tour the church. Its beauty is enhanced by six stained glass windows and a huge mural of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane which overlooks the altar.

For more information about the church and events, please see their website.

The Gaslight Theatre

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.

The Theatre building has undergone recent restoration and the ornate proscenium arch and vaudeville-style stage are all original from the building's 1895 construction. The outside of the building has been repainted to closely resemble its early days. Inside, the stage has been restored to full beauty, and the guest facilities have' been modernized to maximize audience and cast comfort.

Today, the Gaslight Theatre is known for its outstanding amateur productions held three times a year. Call the Box Office at 1-361-594-2079 for reservations and information about upcoming performances. Their address is 207 E 7th Street in downtown Shiner.

CITY PARKS

Green-Dickson Municipal Park

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/softball complex and an enclosed pavilion with an air-conditioned dining and kitchen facility. There are also several spaces for overnight camping (RV's only) with hookups.

For the last several years, Shiner's Annual Half Moon Holidays celebration has been located in Green-Dickson Park during the 4th of July holiday weekend. Craft & food booths, volleyball & fishing tournaments and BBQ cookoffs are all part of the festivities, followed by a spectacular fireworks show.

See our City Parks page for contact information.

Welhausen Park

This one-square-block park is just a block west of downtown Shiner on Ave. E (Hwy 90-A). It features an historic bandstand, children's playground and various monuments describing Shiner's historic past. The picturesque setting is reminiscent of yesteryear America.

On the first Thursday of each December, Welhausen Park is the site of "Christmas in the Park", a community gathering that includes Christmas music concerts by the local school bands and a visit from Santa Claus who arrives riding a Shiner fire truck. The park is also decorated with a beautiful holiday lighting display beginning December 1st.

MUSEUMS

Cigar Factory and Green Cabin Museums

First opened in 1895, the Louis Ehlers Cigar Factory, left, produced three favorite cigars, 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.

These historic buildings, including the offices of the Shiner Chamber of Commerce, are located at 817 N. Avenue E (Hwy 90-A), directly across the street from the old City Hall.

Wolters Memorial Museum

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.

The Wolters Museum is located at 306 S. Avenue I and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and every second and fourth Sunday, from 2:00 to 5:00pm.

SHINER HOT SPOTS

Howard's Convenience Store

Upon first arrival, Howard’s may look like a convenience store/gas station, but step inside to find a unique place filled with Shiner memorabilia, 9 kinds of beer on tap (including all the great Shiner beer varieties), video rentals, snacks, T-shirts, and Blue Bell ice cream. It’s a beer, fishing bait and ammo shop all in one!

Walk out the rear exit to find yourself in a covered beer garden. On some weekends you can even dance to live music by "Los Kolaches" or similar local bands. Howard’s is affectionately called the "Shiner Country Club" because it’s a place "where new friends are made, old friends meet, and families are always welcome". As the airplane on the sign in front suggests, this is a great place to land!

Howard’s is located off Hwy 90A on the northwest side of town and is open from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm daily. Give them a call at 361-594-4200.

Antiques, Art and Beer

This unique establishment is just what the name states! Housed in one of Shiner’s historic downtown buildings, the shop is a place where people gather at the vintage bar or tables to enjoy one of 72 beer or 53 wine selections and munch on the complimentary house peanuts.

Antiques, many gift items, and original art pieces for sale are colorfully displayed throughout the store. In addition, there is musical entertainment on the weekends, a back patio, a deck, and a 'beach.' As stated in Texas Monthly, "it is an eclectic and fabulous addition to any city, let alone a small town".

Antiques, Art, and Beer is located 720 N. Avenue E (Hwy 90-A) in historic downtown Shiner and is open at noon Tuesday through Sunday. For more info, visit www.antiquesartandbeer.com or call 361-594-BEER (2337).

OTHER PLACES

Old Shiner City Hall

Shiner's Old City Hall was built in 1927 and originally included office space for the city secretary and city tax office, a public library, and housing for three fire trucks downstairs; 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 Shiner City administration offices and the Fire Station have since been relocated, but today Shiner's Old City Hall building houses the Police Station, serves as an election polling place, and the auditorium is used as the firemen's recreation hall.

Wolters Public Library

Hoffie & Lank Wolters Shiner Public Library

Built new in the late 1990's, the Shiner Public Library offers books, magazines, and free Internet access to Shiner residents. This beautiful facility was constructed using funds donated by Hoffie & Lank Wolters, long-time Shiner philanthropists. The building also includes a public meeting room used for art and music exhibits as well as cultural events.

The Shiner Public Library is located at 115 E 2nd Street, just one block off of Avenue E (Hwy 90-A). Their hours are 12:00n to 6:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Their phone number is 361-594-3044.

LOCAL COMPANIES

Kaspar Wire Works, Inc.

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 grown to a large manufacturer of a wide range of metal and wire products..

Still under the same family ownership, Kaspar Wire Works is the largest producer and renovator of newspaper racks in the world. Employing several hundred 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 SUV bumpers and grill-guards. Factory tours are available by appointment only.

For more information about the Kaspar companies, see www.kwire.com.

Boedeker Plastics

In the early 1980's, Marvin and Cathy Boedeker began their own small plastics distribution company at the west end of 6th Street. More than 20 years later, Boedeker Plastics has grown to international proportions.

Specializing in pre-molded shapes (sheet, rod and tube) of engineering plastic materials, BPI now sells their materials to companies across the USA, North America, and all across the world. Their in-house CNC machine shop makes parts for aerospace, medical, automotive, electrical, oil exploration and production, and many other industries.

For more information, visit www.boedeker.com.

last updated 11 December 2009

This Website brought to you by:

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