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In Gruene, Texas, history lives in an old dance hall

Gruene Hall be the oldest dance hall in Texas
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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About halfway between San Antonio and Austin, Texas, a born-again ghost town called Gruene harbors perhaps the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Here’s a bit of Gruene (pronounced green) on video. These days Gruene is surrounded by the city of New Braunfels, but the old structures are alive again. Visitors roam a handful of antique shops, galleries and eateries, including the massive gristmill restaurant, which used to be the town cotton gin. Meanwhile, live tunes and cold brews are still available at Gruene Hall.

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