Final Stand in the Old Western Town

In the heart of Spandau, an age-old conflict has arisen between tradition and modernity. The Old Texas Town, a replica Western village that has been a local favourite for 57 years, finds itself at the centre of a heated dispute.

The 10,500 square metre site, which includes a saloon, bank, jail, church, antique pharmacy, wheelwright's workshop, and a saddler's workshop, has been occupied by cowboy enthusiasts for half a century. However, the lease expired on Sunday, September 5, and the new owners, Dr. Aldinger & Fischer Grundbesitz und Vermarktungs GmbH, have plans to develop a data center on the property.

The new owners, being out-of-towners, seek to utilise the land for new-fangled infrastructure, while the cowboy enthusiasts, who are locals, are not willing to pick up sticks and move on from Old Texas Town. This standoff has led to a situation that resembles an old Western plot, with the eccentric old-timers refusing to budge.

Visitors flocked to the town in August, as numbers rose sharply, perhaps drawn by the charm of the replica village. Yet, the future of Old Texas Town remains uncertain, as it remains to be seen whether the situation will end peacefully or escalate.

An online petition to save Old Texas Town has already garnered over 10,000 signatures, demonstrating the strong sentiment towards preserving this piece of local history. However, some questionable elements within Old Texas Town include visitors donning Native American dress or waving Confederate flags, which has sparked controversy and added fuel to the fire.

This Saturday, the cowboy enthusiasts are planning a party, further emphasising their determination to hold onto Old Texas Town. The new owners, on the other hand, have made it clear that they do not want the party to take place. The fate of Old Texas Town hangs in the balance, as the standoff between tradition and modernity continues.