HLC to consider Broken Spoke historic designation

Austin’s most historic honky-tonk, the Broken Spoke at 3201 S. Lamar, will be the subject of discussion at the city’s Historic Landmark Commission on March 1. Last year, then-Council Member Ann Kitchen started the process of designating the Spoke a city historic landmark by sponsoring a resolution at City Council. Although opposition to the designation seems unlikely, the dance hall, like every other property seeking to be declared historic, must go through the process. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who previously represented downtown Austin and the South Lamar property where the Spoke has entertained customers for more than 58 years, urged Council to move forward with the designation in November. The honky-tonk where Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Marcia Ball, among others, thrilled listeners and dancers alike, already has a state historical designation. But the city designation is important because many music venues have been lost to development. In the resolution, Council requested that the work be done quickly “in order to protect and preserve the important institution within Austin and to align with the anticipated placement of the (state) Historical Marker in April 2023.”