Farewell, dusty roads: Berlin's Town Old Texas, a 50-year-old establishment, due for shutdown.
Berlin's Wild West-themed attraction, Cowboy Club Old Texas Berlin 1950 eV, is set to close its doors after more than five decades of operation. The cult-like complex, popularised by word of mouth and immortalised in the 1980 song 'Old Texas Town, die Westernstadt' by German country band Truck Stop, is facing eviction due to ongoing eviction proceedings.
The complex, nestled in a retail park in Berlin's Spandau district, has been a fixture for around 57 years. During this time, it has offered visitors a taste of the American Wild West experience, complete with a jail, a chapel, a military museum, a cantina, a 'Bank of Texas', and a saloon, among other attractions. The club's unique blend of Western-themed entertainment and community spirit has attracted a diverse crowd, with attendees dressing in various Western-style garments such as plaid shirts, feathers, and denim.
The club, founded in 1939 by cowboy aficionados PFH Überdieck and Robert Driest, has a rich history. During World War II, the club was forced underground before reemerging as Cowboy Club Berlin in 1941 under Nazi supervision. After the war, the group reformed in the American sector of occupied Berlin, where the phrase 'Old Texas' was added to its name. In the 1970s, many of the buildings in the complex were built by hand by club members.
The current Burgermeister of the town, Jack Hunter (whose real name is Ralf Keber), has been a member of the club for over 17 years and has held various positions, including sheriff and chairman. The club has also been used for television, film, and music video sets, as well as for weddings and other functions.
The rental contract for the site, established in 2008 for a 15-year term followed by yearly extensions, has not been renewed by the current landlords, Berlin-based company Dr. Aldinger & Fischer Grundbesitz. The future looks uncertain with no clear indications of survival or relocation, marking a definitive end to this unique cultural and recreational spot in Berlin.
As the closure date approaches, the club's final opening evening is scheduled for Jul 5, starting at 18:30. Entry to the saloon is €10, with an additional €3 for a seat with a good view of the performances. The beers served are cheap, and the food is basic, consisting of Wurst, Brot, Schinkenbrot.
Over 5,000 people have signed a petition to save the club from eviction, highlighting the strong feelings the complex has generated among its followers. As the countdown to the closure begins, the future of this iconic Berlin attraction remains uncertain.
[1] Sources: Berliner Morgenpost, Spiegel Online, and the club's official website.
- The strongly supported petition on social media aims to save the iconic home-and-garden attraction, Cowboy Club Old Texas Berlin 1950 eV, from eviction, highlighting its significant role in shaping pop-culture and outdoor-living experiences in Berlin.
- As the iconic entertainment spot, Cowboy Club Old Texas Berlin 1950 eV, set to close its doors, there's debate over its transition into the digital age of lifestyle content, with online platforms showcasing its unique blend of home-and-garden aesthetics and Western-themed entertainment.
- Amid uncertainty about the club's closure, many in the social-media community are sharing memories of attending weddings, film sets, and traditional saloon experiences at Cowboy Club Old Texas Berlin 1950 eV, commemorating its five-decade journey as a beacon of the American Wild West in Berlin's cultural landscape.
