Peters Hall was originally built for the Peters-Hacienda Schuetzenverein, a shooting and traditional sportsmans' club organized in 1897. German immigrants moved to this area in droves after Friedrich Ernst (1796-1848) arrived in 1831 and wrote descriptions of Texas to be published in Germany. The Germans created fraternal associations devoted to literature, singing, agriculture, sportsmanship and mutual aid. The Schuetzenverein kept up the sporting tradition deriving from medieval Europe when contests on marksmanship and archery were conducted to maintain a community's skills in case of combat. However, dancing became the building's main activity. The first structure was a dance platform built on the Hoff family pasture in 1898-99. German immigrant Joachim Hintz (1841-1920) built an eight-sided hall that included a large dance floor and a cupola for ventilation. Dances were held every second Saturday of the month. Only men would pay admission and there are tales of women using pieces of their calico dresses as tickets in the early 1900s. The popular events included May Fest, masquerades, and Christmas and New Year's dances. In 1943, Peters Hall was renamed Austin County Gun Club before becoming Peters-Hacienda Community Hall in 1995. The town of Peters, also known as Millheim Station, was named after an early resident, Albert Peters (1882-1958). In the 1870's, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway was extended near the community, and a post office was open from 1883 to the mid-1940s. The town had several businesses, a church, a hospital and two schools: Peters School and Hacienda School. Although these places are gone, the hall still stands, preserving and creating new memories. (2019)
Getting there
29.8531, -96.1888
Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
