Historical Marker

SPJST Shiner Cemetery

Historical marker location:
CR 348, Shiner, Texas
( Start at the intersection of US 90A and TX 95 in Shiner. Go west on US 90A about 1.8 miles. Turn right on CR 348 and go .7 mile. It is the first cemetery on the right.)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Czech-Texans and members of the Lodge Texasky Mir No. 10 Shiner established this cemetery on April 14, 1906 to provide a burial place for SPJST (Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas) members and their families. Local and regional SPJST ministers provided funeral and burial services to its members in the Czech language. The SPJST Shiner Cemetery contains over 200 burials, many of them Catholic and Protestant. Czech names are found on the headstones and over forty are inscribed in the Czech language. Gravestone materials include granite, marble and funeral company markers. Prior to 1970, a metal arch sign marked the entrance of the cemetery with the Czech words, “Narodni Hrbitov” (National Cemetery).

All of the graves are oriented in an feet-to-east position, a tradition in the Czech culture. None of the SPJST charter members are buried here, but several charter members from SPJST lodges outside of Shiner are buried in the cemetery. This includes Jakub Vackar, a charter member of Lodge No. 19, Velehrad, president of the Congregation of Freethinkers in Lavaca and Fayette Counties and president of other lodges in the area. Some members of the Odbocka C.N.S. of Shiner, a branch of the Czech National Association that helped raise funds for the new, struggling nation of Czechoslovakia, are also buried in the SPJST Shiner Cemetery. In addition, many veterans of World War I, World War II and the Korean War are buried here. The cemetery is a reminder of the strong fraternal bonds of the Czech community. The SPJST District VI Cemetery Organization, established in 2002, maintains this historic cemetery

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
There’s a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas.
Willie Nelson in Interview in The Wall Street Journal
Lavaca County, located in southeast Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its settlement in the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa people, who thrived off the land's natural resources. European settlement began in the 1820s, following the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists.

In 1846, Lavaca County was officially established by the Texas state legislature and was named after the Lavaca River, which runs through the area. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Many plantations were established, and slavery played a significant role in the local economy, impacting the social and cultural dynamics of the region.

During the Civil War, Lavaca County supported the Confederacy, with many of its residents volunteering for military service. The county experienced the effects of the war firsthand, including economic hardships and infrastructure damage. In the post-war years, the cotton industry faced several challenges, including the boll weevil infestation and the Great Depression, which led to a decline in agricultural dominance.

In the 20th century, Lavaca County transitioned into a more diversified economy, with the growth of oil and gas exploration. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought prosperity to the region, attracting new residents and businesses. Today, Lavaca County continues to be primarily rural with a strong agricultural heritage, while also benefiting from the contributions of the energy industry. The county's deep-rooted history and ongoing development make it a unique and historically significant part of Texas.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Lavaca County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Lavaca County is established by the Texas legislature, carved out of parts of neighboring counties.
  • 1849 - The first county seat is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1852 - The oldest known courthouse in Lavaca County is built in Hallettsville.
  • 1856 - The county's first newspaper, the Lavaca Democrat, is founded.
  • 1861-1865 - Lavaca County residents support the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1867 - St. Peter's Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously active Lutheran congregation in Texas, is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1873 - The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway extends its tracks into Lavaca County.
  • 1881 - A new courthouse is constructed in Hallettsville to replace the original courthouse.
  • 1922 - The area around Lavaca County experiences a significant oil boom, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1936 - The current Lavaca County Courthouse, a Classical Revival-style building, is completed in Hallettsville.
  • 1942-1945 - Many Lavaca County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1997 - The Lavaca County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - Lavaca County celebrates its 150th anniversary since its establishment.
  • 2018 - Lavaca County continues to be a predominantly rural area with a strong agricultural industry.