New Braunfels in Comal County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

West End Park and Dance Hall

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, June 3, 2020

1. West End Park and Dance Hall Marker

Inscription. Following his service in World War II, Felipe Delgado and his wife, Elisa Saenz Delgado, purchased a lot in 1947 in the West End Subdivision #2, determined to create an entertainment center for the Hispanic community. Felipe worked various jobs including civil service but devoted his spare time to working on the park. A concrete slab was poured for dances and events lit by lanterns and later a hall was built. The hall became a popular destination for concerts, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and quinceañeras. Lydia Mendoza, one of the best-known Spanish-language singers of the Texas-Mexico border region, performed at the West End Dance Hall to large crowds. At times, the concrete platform and the dance hall were converted for use as a skating rink or for boxing matches. Elisa made and sold hamburgers for attendees at dances and baseball games.

A large outdoor area accommodated carnivals, picnics and celebrations, and a baseball field with a large grandstand encouraged the love of baseball in the New Braunfels Hispanic community. The West End team was called the Cardinals and later the Lions and played against other New Braunfels and surrounding city teams at the park, as well as teams from Mexico. One of the largest annual events in the park was Diez y Seis de Septiembre, a celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810 that is observed throughout Texas. Hundreds of citizens and guests would gather in the park for music, food and festivities. The Delgados leased the property in the 1970s and the hall was torn down in the 1980s. Although the hall, cantina and baseball fields are no longer visible, the legacy of the West End Park remains in the community.

Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18580.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Entertainment • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 29° 41.285′ N, 98° 8.702′ W. Marker is in New Braunfels, Texas, in Comal County. It is on Katy Street west of North Grape Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Braunfels TX 78130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carl Heinrich Guenther (approx. 0.4 miles away); The New Braunfels Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); The New Braunfels Academy (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old New Braunfels High School (approx. 1.3 miles away); Site of New Braunfels Academy

West End Park and Dance Hall Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, June 3, 2020

2. West End Park and Dance Hall Marker Area

(approx. 1.3 miles away); Emmie Seele Faust Memorial Library (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hermann Seele (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braunfels.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.