Forty-eight German settlers living in the vicinity of Burton, Washington County, Texas organized the La Bahia Turn Verein on July 5, 1879.  

The organization existed without a charter and without facilities until 1884.  In June 24, 1884, the La Bahia Turn Verein purchased three acres of land from August and Amoelia Seibel for $90.  This land fronts on present day Texas Highway 237.  Immediately thereafter G.F. Christek constructed the first hall on that land. This building was destroyed by fire on November 3, 1887.  A second hall was built that same year. It burned October 12, 1901.  The present hall was constructed in 1902 and has been increased in size and modified on several occasions as the number of members and people attending functions increased.      

Illumination was originally provided by opening sections of the exterior wall during the day and by gas or kerosene lanterns at night.  During the early 1930s, the Verein acquired a Delco battery light system.  After the development of rural electrical cooperatives in the 1940s made electricity readily and economically available, the hall was connected to that service.

Ventilation and cooling was possible through the opened sections of the exterior wall and three large louvers at the front of the building.  Once economical electricity became available fans were installed.  Several small fans and one large one provide a modest circulation of air in the hall today, but most of it comes from the open doors and open sections in the walls.

All of these features were and still are representative of the many such halls which once dotted the landscape of this area of Central Texas and of the few that are still standing.  

The original innocent sport practiced by members of The La Bahia Turn Verein was tureining, an activity comparable to American chinning the bar.  Individuals were required to master this sport and be able to chin the bar a certain number of times before they were accepted into membership.  The organization then became more of a social center where members and their families could find amusement and recreation and where they could meet for dances and other social gatherings.

From the original forty-eight members in 1879, the La Bahia Turn Verein grew to around 180 members or families in 1979.  

Dances are held only occasionally.  Instead of dances, the hall has been and is used for family reunions, wedding receptions, and wedding anniversaries.  Several Texas State Skat Tournaments have been held at the hall.  In addition, the Buttons and Bows Square Dance Club of Navasota hosts a very popular two day square dance and fish fry every April.  This dance is so popular that motor homes and travel trailers begin arriving on Thursday for a Friday night dance.

Major anniversaries have always been celebrated with huge barbeque dinners, large dances.

Today the La Bahia Turn Verein remains an active and viable family oriented organization whose purpose continues to be the promotion of the social life of member families.  The hall is maintained in good condition and is used frequently in the spring and summer.

                                   Brendon Anthony

Brendon Anthony is the director of the Texas Music Office. Anthony began playing live music with a variety of Texas acts while attending Texas A&M University, which he graduated from in 1999. In 1997, Anthony began playing full time with Pat Green, with whom he toured nationally and internationally for 15 years. During his decade and a half as a touring musician, Anthony toured both the United States and Europe, played on a gold record and was a member of the band when Pat Green received three Grammy Award nominations. In addition to being a successful touring musician, Anthony has also performed on dozens of studio recordings and produced multiple records, including Drew Womack's "Sunshine To Rain." In 2010, Anthony helped start OneLive Media, which began as a primary ticketing company for Texas music venues and festivals before expanding into the e-commerce industry and becoming one of the premier online entertainment sales and marketing companies in the country. Anthony is a classically-trained violinist who has played fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo both in live performances and studio recordings.

Anthony was born in Dallas, raised in College Station and has now called Austin home for 16 years.