Urban cowboys persevere unyieldingly.
The Western town in Berlin-Spandau's Haselhorst district, known as "Old Texas Town," has been serving as a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike for the past 57 years. However, the Cowboy Club Old Texas, the association operating the town, has received an eviction notice, causing concern and rallying efforts from the community.
The lease agreement for the two-dozen-building Western town expired last weekend, and the owning company, Dr. Aldinger & Fischer Grundbesitz and Vermarktungs GmbH, has stated that the association is obligated to return the property. The company is planning to use the approximately 10,500 square meter property for the construction of a data center.
Ralf Keber, chairman of the sponsoring association, has announced that they will continue to operate the Western town, with plans to celebrate again on Saturday. The association has not yet demolished anything and still hopes for a solution. It is considered unrealistic to clear an entire town within three months, according to Keber.
The Western town features facilities such as a saloon, bank, jail, church, wheelwright, saddlery workshop, forge, and a historic pharmacy. On average, around 500 day visitors come to the Western town from May to October each year, with about 10,000 visitors annually, including guests from private events such as weddings, company parties, and birthdays. In August, about 1,000 visitors came, causing the association to be "completely overwhelmed."
The district also supports the preservation of Old Texas Town. In July, the association demonstrated on the Pariser Platz for the continued existence of the Western town, and an online petition "Save the Western town" started in June has over 10,000 supporters.
If the association does not return the property voluntarily, the owning company will take legal action and file a lawsuit soon. The Western town's mayor has stated that a move to another location is not possible due to the town's unique size and structure.
Despite the eviction notice, the Western town will continue to operate for now, with its regular public event on the first Saturday of every month from 6:30 PM to 2:00 AM. The Cowboy Club Old Texas and its supporters remain hopeful for a resolution that allows the Western town to continue its long-standing tradition in Berlin-Spandau.
