Roll With Us: DeWitt County Dance Hall Tour
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Noon to 10:00 PM
Departs from Austin (Cavender’s Boot City, 4435 S. Lamar Blvd.)
Three rural halls. Zero highway stress. One big Texas anniversary bash.
Leave the keys behind, pack your favorite refreshments, and climb aboard with Texas Dance Hall Preservation for an unforgettable fall day trip into the heart of DeWitt County. We’re rolling south to explore three storied community gathering spaces, soak in living local history, and cap it all off by cutting a rug at an evening dance with the Drew Oliver Band!
Seating is strictly limited—grab your tickets before the bus fills up!
The Lineup: Three Historic Halls, Three Unique Stories
Gruenau Hall
(near Yorktown)
First established around 1900 as a combined Schuetzen Verein (shooting club) and Turnverein (athletic society), Gruenau was famous for marksmanship contests, brass bands, and coronation dances for the Schuetzen-Koenig (King of the Riflemen).
While Gruenau is technically no longer classified as an official “historic” structure after the original 1900 wood-frame building was tragically lost to a fire in January 2007, its spirit couldn’t be more authentic. Tour guests will hear the inspiring story of how members and neighbors rallied to rebuild. It is the living epitome of how Texas dance halls came to be in the first place: neighbors pulling together to ensure they always have a home to gather.
Nordheim Shooting Club
(Nordheim)
Chartered in 1901, the Nordheim Shooting Club represents textbook German-Texan social heritage. Built for marksmanship tournaments, lively fraternal meetings, and family fellowship, this classic survivor features high, open-truss rafters, a vintage dance floor, and over a century of local boot-scuffing lore.
Lindenau Rifle Club Hall (Lindenau)
The 125th Anniversary Celebration!
Our tour concludes with a huge celebration at Lindenau! Named for the leafy linden tree (Basswood), Lindenau was once a bustling railroad farm settlement. German families chartered the nonprofit Lindenau Rifle Club in 1901 to preserve their traditions, and in 1926, they built the hall’s iconic octagonal wooden dance pavilion.
Afternoon: Free outdoor games and family-friendly activities.
Evening: Grab dinner from KB BBQ and drinks from the 5D Traveling Tavern (food and beverages available for purchase).
Night: Hit the historic wooden floor beginning at 6 PM for an evening of dance music from the Drew Oliver Band!
We leave Lindenau at 8 PM and return to Cavender’s around 10 PM.
Trip Details & Logistics
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Check-In: 11:45 AM at Cavender’s Boot City (4435 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin)
Departure: Noon sharp
Tickets: $130 per person, TDHP Members save $10 per ticket!
Hosted By: Texas Dance Hall Preservation representatives alongside dance hall documentarians and experts Erik and Laurie McCowan of the Texas Dance Hall Show, sharing colorful anecdotes, architectural trivia, and Texas music lore along the route.
Need Two Step Tips? Julie Wilmer from Blue Moon Dance Company will be along to help those want pointers.
Food & Drink: Small coolers with food and drinks are welcome on the motorcoach (strictly no glass containers).
Barbecue and beverages will be available for purchase at Lindenau.
Seating is strictly limited—grab your tickets before the bus fills up!
Photos from May 2nd Bus Tour
Questions?
For more information, contact Texas Dance Hall Preservation at info@texasdancehall.org.