Texas' First After Prohibition
In September of 1933 J. C. (James Curtis) Riley, at the age of 17, drove to Austin, Texas from his home in Hunter, Texas, some 45 miles. He was in a Model "T" car with his uncle. The purpose of this trip was to obtain a beer license for his soon - to - be beer joint. It was now at the end of prohibition. He camped out on the steps of the Capital building and waited for it to open. He was the first person in line in Texas and got the first beer license!
Riley saw Hunter grow into a "boom town" with cotton farmers to the east and cattle ranchers to the west. Hunter just happened to be the midway point between Austin and San Antonio. The Missouri-Pacific Railroad decided to build a stop because of the water supply, York Creek. When the farmers and ranchers heard of this, they talked the railroad into building a dock to load their cotton and cattle. Soon the town was bustling with business. When Riley opened his doors on the old place, it was an instant success! There were people in the street and loaded beer wagons arriving daily at Riley's Tavern.
Riley kept the tavern operational until 1991 (he became too sick to run it), or about 58 years. His heyday was between 1933 and 1977. Around 1977 San Marcos and Hays County went "wet" and business then slowed down. By then Riley's had been open over forty years. Riley was coasting by then.
Prior to Riley taking over the place and before prohibition, the joint was known as the Galloway Saloon. The main part of the building has been dated around the mid-1800s. By the way, Riley's mother was a Galloway.
Mr. Riley died in 1992 and is buried in York Creek Cemetery, not more than 2 miles from his joint and where he was born.
Texas beaches need your help. Last week state Rep. Wayne Christian pulled a sly move in the legislature and created an exception to the Texas Open Beaches Act that allows him and his neighbors on Bolivar Peninsula to build houses on the PUBLIC BEACH.
This is bad news.
We have a campaign to convince Texas Governor Rick Perry to veto this bad bill.
This is very simple and your email could make the difference.
CONGRATULATIONS RILEY'S TAVERN IN HUNTER, TEXAS! * * You are #66 pub / tavern / saloon / on The Indulgers "International Internet Virtual Pub Tour. * * We are here to play for you! Just hit the fun button on your screen and The Indulgers will perform our new song "Whiskey Tonight". * * NEXT: Come and visit our myspace site or our web site at www.shamrocker.com to see your establishment's name and place on our "International Internet Virtual Pub Tour" list made up of pubs/taverns/ale houses/saloons/and bars from all over the world. We will be contacting your friends and letting them know they can stop by your myspace site to see The Indulgers perform. Thanks for participating in the world's 1st "International Internet Virtual Pub Tour"! ** Cheers!
Hit the fun button to start the show...recommended viewing in HQ (High Quality).
If you miss THIS party, you're not a good American!
8th annual birthday show Featuring: John Evans Band, Carrie Ann & The Apocalyptics and of course, the birthday boy OPIE HENDRIX w/ super secret special musical guests, fire spinners & belly dancers...
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