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Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

Kaspar Wire Works

 
 
Kaspar Wire Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012
1. Kaspar Wire Works Marker
Inscription. Founded as outgrowth of an 1895 invention that used smooth wire discarded when barbed wire fencing was introduced in this area. August Kaspar, son of a Swiss Lutheran missionary to Texas, salvaged some of the plain wire and made a corn shuck basket for home use. A neighbor saw and bought the basket. Soon Kaspar disposed of his baskets as rapidly as he could make and put them to use in his own barn.

In 1898 he began the full-time manufacture of wire baskets and horse muzzles. His backyard shop was equipped with little more than a pair of pliers and his inventive genius. A rented wagon was the original Kaspar show room.

Arthur H. Kaspar, son of the founder, purchased the business in 1924. In 1949 a grandson, Don G. Kaspar, joined the organization. Kaspar Wire Works has progressed to assembly-line manufacturing of nationally and internationally distributed goods— -- including display racks, baskets, newspaper racks, wire shelving and many other products.

The growth and success of Kaspar Wire Works was officially recognized in 1967 by the bestowal of the first annual Governor's Expansion Award under the auspices
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of the Texas Industrial Commission.
 
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2903.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
 
Location. 29° 26.202′ N, 97° 9.881′ W. Marker is in Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. It is on State Highway 95 north of Miller Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 959 TX-95, Shiner TX 77984, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spoetzl Brewery (approx. Ό mile away); United Evangelical Lutheran Dr. Martin Luther Church (approx. half a mile away); Sunken Garden Dance Platform (approx.
Location of Kaspar Wire Works Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012
2. Location of Kaspar Wire Works Marker
half a mile away); Shiner Opera House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Masonic Lodge Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Welhausen Park Bandstand (approx. 0.6 miles away); Captain Charles Welhausen (approx. 0.6 miles away); Palace Saloon and Cafe (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.
 
Also see . . .  Kaspar Wire Works article in Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)
 
Kaspar Wire Works Sign and Building image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Gregory Walker, September 1, 2012
3. Kaspar Wire Works Sign and Building
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 21, 2026