The Broken Spoke is a bar, dance hall and restaurant that opened 58 years ago. On Nov. 3, Austin City Council passed a resolution to begin the process of designating it as a historical landmark. Next, the resolution will move to the Austin Historic Landmark Commission and the Planning Commission before it returns to the council. Officials with the City Council said they hope this is completed before April, when the council anticipates placing the historical marker at the site.
"If you take something like the Spoke ... that has been a part of our culture in our community for 60 years, what are we going to do to make sure that at least the soul of Austin stays intact? It's going to evolve; it's going to change; people come and go, and I get that, ... but if we lose the Spoke, ... it's a part of what makes Austin unique and different," said U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, during the council meeting. "I hope that we can work to figure out ways to keep a little of the soul of Austin."
The resolution states The Broken Spoke has hosted legions of performers, including music legends such as Willie Nelson and George Strait, who started their careers at the venue in the late 1970s. Dolly Parton also filmed her 1980 movie "Wild Texas Wind" at the venue as well. In addition, the property has been represented in a variety of media and mementos, such as a photograph of The Broken Spoke on the cover of George Strait's March 2019 album, "Honky Tonk Time Machine."
In the draft resolution, Austin City Council members said they believe the venue should be considered a historical landmark due to the following criteria:
- The venue is more than 50 years old and retains the original integrity of its character of a classic Texas music and dance hall;
- The property has significant associations with historical events, including famous performers, visitors and events, and provides distinct community value as a cornerstone of Austin's live music scene; and
- It has a long-standing significant association with persons and groups of historic important which contributed significantly to the history of the city and state.
"I strongly support resolutions like this one in particular to preserve and protect the Spoke," Roy said. "I'm a big fan of that old Austin culture where the hippies and rednecks come together, and I hope we can figure out a way to keep that as part of our fabric."
District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen also expressed support of the resolution during the council meeting.
"It's in my district, and it's in my heart," Kitchen said. "I've spent a lot of time there, ... and this [historical landmark designation] is an avenue that we can explore as potentially helping us to preserve The Broken Spoke."
Situated at 3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, The Broken Spoke maintains Austin's history, including the legacy of honky tonk and similar dance halls throughout the state, according to the draft resolution. The venue has already received a Texas Historical Marker recognizing its long history, which has been in the White family since its inception Nov. 11, 1964, by James and Annetta White.
