OUR MISSION is to protect, enhance, and interpret Shiner's history, culture, and natural attractions, and to promote the Shiner community as a heritage tourism destination.

OUR FOCUS is to successfully launch projects highlighting heritage tourism, historical trail development and the preservation and enhancement of historical properties.

OUR TOWN'S HISTORY The first settlers to our area were German and Czech farmers, who arrived in 1884. They settled under a liveoak knoll called Half Moon, after its earlier name as an Indian campsite.

In 1867, Henry B. Shiner came to Lavaca County and began a cattle-raising operation. He drove cattle from Texas to Kansas. With the profits of his business, he purchased 8000 acres of land.

In 1887, the SAAP Railroad began laying track from Yoakum to Waco; Mr. Shiner donated 250 acres of choice land for railroad right-of-way. The first train came through in August 1887. With plans to take advantage of the railroad, Half-Moon settlers, only three-quarters of a mile away, moved to the new site. On March 1, 1888, the new townsite officially became known as Shiner, after its benefactor.

By the end of 1887, the great cattle drives were coming to an end and the new "king" was cotton. The Oil Mill and Manufacturing Company was established in 1896. The town began to boom as 5 gins, the oil mill and its machine shop, the compress, all located in close proximity, gave Shiner a very effective handling of the cotton industry.

From 1891 to the early 1900's, new industries were established. A private bank was organized and received its national charter as the First National Bank of Shiner in 1900. A cigar factory was opened in 1894, a creamery and brewery in 1909, and a wire-works (modern facility) began in 1898. Several of these buildings, although renovated, are in existence today. Kaspar Wire Works and Spoetzl Brewery are still in operation today, as is First National Bank of Shiner.

Many homes of various styles, from the late 1890's to the early 1900's have been restored to their original state. These homes offer historic value to the community of Shiner and to tourism.

Below are other pictures of interest, both new and old.

For more information about Shiner and to see other ways to enjoy Shiner, we recommend the following websites:

Chamber of Commerce
www.shinertx.com

Spoetzl Brewery - home to the family of Shiner Beers
www.shiner.com

Painted Churches Tour
www.Texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownSouth/PaintedChurchesTour.htm

     

Shiner, Old Shiner, Shiner History, Historic, Historic Shiner, City of Shiner, Half Moon, Shiner Texas, Shiner Tourism, Shiner Culture, Shiner Attractions, Shiner Beer, Bocktoberfest, Shiner Bock, Shiner Blonde, Shiner Heritage, Shiner Community, Shiner Comanches