3 minute read
HISTORY OF WEIMAR
from Weimar, Texas
WEIMAR’S HISTORIC PAST
Left, Weimar’s Chamber of Commerce Band poses in front of the Weimar City Park Bandstand in 1930. Above, Weimar’s gazebo was built by Tim and Mary Hinton in 1983 as a gift to the Weimar community, accoding to the plaque at its base. Photo by Lori Olivarez-Ligues.
MUSICAL ROOTS Historical Weimar, Texas
WEIMAR’S LOVE OF MUSIC STANDS THE TEST OF TIME by George Jurecka
In 1929 Weimar replaced the standpipe it had built in 1886 with an overhead water tower. Both the standpipe and the new water tower were located near the intersection of West Main Street and South College Street.
In early May of 1930 a section of the dismantled old standpipe was moved up the site of Weimar’s City Park in the one hundred block of East Main Street. The standpipe rim was used as a base to build a roofed bandstand in the new park located east of the two storied City Hall, Fire Department (ground level) and auditorium/dance hall (second floor). The bandstand was completed in time for the first concert to be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday, August 1, 1930. This was the first of a series of concerts held every two weeks by Weimar’s Chamber of Commerce Band under the direction of John Schindler.
In the early 1900s Johan (John) Schindler Sr (clarinet) helped form a brass band for the community of Weimar. The Weimar Brass Band included his four sons: John (cornet, violin, French horn), Adolph (clarinet), Joe (cornet), and Emil “Babe” (clarinet and saxophone). This new band was called the Schindler Brass Band. The musical organization had a series of Schindler Bandmasters. Following Johan’s leadership, around 1913, the bandmaster was Joe Schindler. John next assumed the baton and also directed Weimar’s next brass band, the Chamber of Commerce Band. The Chamber of Commerce Band musicians consisted of volunteers from the Weimar area and the musician roster constantly changed making each performance distinctive. They performed for concerts, holiday celebrations, picnics, and other special events.
Trades’ Days was a special event. Merchants had drawings, giveaways, gifts, and placed merchandise on sale to lure patrons to Weimar. Usually held on a weekday (Tuesdays and Wednesdays were common), the event included food prepared by local organizations, music by the Chamber of Commerce Band, special attractions, and topped off the evening with an evening street dance that often went until midnight. Modern bands entertaining at the evening dances included Weimar’s Babe Schindler Orchestra and the Cornelson Orchestra of Schulenburg. Old time music was provided by the John Krecmer’s Orchestra of Dubina and Kana’s Orchestra of Holman.
Kevin and Sadie Elstner have owned and operated Elstner Cattle Company in Weimar, Texas since the late ‘90s. Their cattle are naturally raised, hormone-free, antibioticfree, grass fed, natural grain finished and never leave the ranch until it’s time to slaughter.
In 2022 they purchased Kasper’s Slaughter and Packing House, now known as Elstner Meat Processing, dba Weimar Meat Company also in Weimar, Texas. They raise, feed, slaughter, and process all in Weimar.
Their 100% natural beef products are the prime example of the true meaning “Farm to Table”.
State Inspected Processing Facility Wholesale and Retail Available Weimar Sausage-Naturally Smoked Sausage, Gluten and Allergen Free Weimar Pecan Smoked Bacon Custom Prossessing for Beef, Pork, Goat, Sheep, Deer and Wild Game
