Sunken Garden Dance Platform

Sunken Garden Dance Platform. . , When Czech and German immigrants immigrated to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, they brought their culture with them, including dance and music. As these immigrants began to create communities in Texas, they built and popularized dance halls throughout the state., In Shiner, Ed Havel, a child of Czech immigrants, built an "Amusement Center," called the Sunken Garden. Officially opening on April 15, 1936, it contained a concrete dance floor, a bandstand and a beer stand. The garden hosted many dances attended by Czechs, Germans, Hispanics and Anglo Americans. After Havel sold the Garden in 1941, the business changed ownership often. Later owners included A.W. Matusek, Gussie Jurek and Emil Hajek., The bands that performed at the Sunken Garden played a variety of music. Because Czech and German immigrants were frequent visitors to the sunken gardens, traditional Polkas and Waltzes were played often. Big Band and Western Swing were also popular. Notable bands who performed include the Blueridge Playboys, Tom Dickey and His Show Boys, and Rhine Winkler. The Sunken Garden also acted as a community center for Shiner. Local groups such as the Shiner Business Men's Club, Farmers League and the Wied Catholic Sokols hosted events and meetings at the Gardens., The Sunken Gardens fell into disuse after World War II because of post-war migration, the rise of air conditioned, indoor dance halls, and the popularity of television. A center for social activity in Shiner, the Sunken Garden Dance Platform stands as a symbol of the town's cultural diversity and influences.