Albert Dance Hall  Albert, TX

The town of Albert has a simple name, and not many people have ever heard of it, but its beginnings date back to 1877 and the romantic days of the frontier, pioneering and settlement in the rich German farmlands of the Texas Hill Country.  According to various histories (and disputed by some of them), three men of Fredericksburg – the blacksmith Fritz Wilke, George Maenius and John Petri – sought new grazing lands for their cattle;  Wilke bought his land from a man named Elmeier, who would be gunned down in a robbery-shootout.

Originally called Martinsburg, after an early settler and a stop on the Fredericksburg-Blanco stage route, the little town had a post office that operated from 1877 to 1886. 

Meanwhile, 20 miles west, a Reverend August Engel established his own post office, where his sister, Minnie (or Sophie, depending on the source) was appointed postmistress.  When she filed the papers, she listed the name of her fiancé as the requested township:  Albert Luckenbach.  This is the town that we know of today as Luckenbach, Texas.

In 1892, when Albert and Minnie Luckenbach sold their store in Luckenbach and moved 20 miles east to Martinsburg, the little town of Martinsburg was renamed “Albert”.  The first local school was established in 1891, and in 1897, then Postmaster Otto Schumann opened the town’s first general store.  By 1900, a new school building was erected that the young LBJ would attend. 

The Albert Dance Hall was build in 1922 by Max Beckman, featured German brass bands rotating between Luckenbach, Hye and Weinheimer Dance Halls, and provided the community a place for Saturday night dances and social gatherings. 

In the early 1950’s, Albert was purchased by Maenius descendents Alvin and Marvelene, who operated the general store.  By 1985 the store had been torn down, the doors to the dance hall were closed and the school was a community center.  In March 2003, an Austin businessman purchased the town and updated the Ice House, which became a popular hangout for local residents.  In October 2007, the town was put up for sale and was eventually purchased in November 2009 by the Easley family. 

Albert is once again the vibrant place where locals and travelers meet to enjoy good times and friends, music and refreshment!  Turn a trip to Albert into an expedition by visiting other historical sights in the neighborhood.  There is a lot to see in the Texas Hill Country, so come and join us in Albert, Texas!

Getting Here

From San Antonio

1. From downtown, take I-37 North toward I-35
2. I-37 becomes US 281 North
3. Continue on US 281 North for about 25.3 miles to Blanco, Texas, and turn left at the Courthouse on RR 1623
4. Continue on RR 1623 for about 15 miles
5. Albert, TX, will be on the right

From Austin

1. From downtown, take MoPac (Loop 1) South
2. * Merge onto US 290 West and go through Oak Hill
3. Continue on US 290 West through Dripping Springs, Texas
4. Continue on US 290 West until it merges with US 281 North (toward Johnson City)
5. Merge onto US 290 West in Johnson City (Hill Country Cupboard restaurant at light on the right)
6. Go about 15 miles to Stonewall
7. At Stonewall, take a left onto RR 1623
8. Go about 5.5 miles
9. Albert, TX, will be on the left

From Houston

1. From I-10 West out of Houston
2. Take SH 71 West (exit 695) toward Austin/La Grange
3. SH 71 West becomes Bastrop Highway
4. Bastrop Highway becomes Ben White Boulevard East
5. Exit onto US 290 West (left ramp)
6. Follow Austin directions from * above

From Dallas

1.  From I-35 South out of Dallas
2. In Austin, take Exit 230B toward Johnson City/Ben White Boulevard
3. Turn right onto Ben White Boulevard
4. Turn left onto US 290 West
5. Follow Austin directions from * above