The History of Warda Burger; Share Your Fond Memories
Memories and recollections. Sometimes it’s a place, a taste or a sound; sometimes all three. Remember the old Warda Store? The taste of the juicy Warda Burger and the sound of dominoes being shuffled.
For both people new to the area who don’t know the history of the store, and for people who have fond memories of eating there and visiting with their friends and neighbors and wanting to learn more about it, we will be covering a bit of the history of Warda this week.
Over the next several days, I will be talking to some folks about the old Warda Store. I’d love to hear your story, your memories and share a photo you may have of the store, inside and out, and the people who loved going there. My contact information is at the end of this column. I would appreciate it if you would contact me and help me share the history and stories of the old Warda Store.
This week, a little bit of the earlier history: Warda was a source of lumber in its early days. This was prior to A.E. Falke, of Wendish origin, settling in the area. Warda was named after a town in Germany. Falke opened a general store in 1874 (Falke Bros.) and after other Wends moved to the area, Holy Cross Lutheran Church was moved to Warda from Lee County. There was a second general store owned by Gus Matejowski. The first post office opened in 1877. Within the next several years, the town grew to include quite the assortment of amenities: sawmills, gristmills, C. Froehlich and Sons cotton ginners, G. Rothmann blacksmith, wagonmaker, coffin maker, a barber, a physician (Dr. Paul Beckmann) and a drugstore.
The first postmaster in Warda was William W. Gunn, and the mail was brought in from Northrup. Robert S. Foster was the second postmaster in 1889. A. E. Falke was the third postmaster in 1891. The post office was located inside his Falke Bros. General Store.
In 1898, Gustav Matejowsky became postmaster and moved the post office about one mile south. Warda’s next postmaster was Charley A. Falke (A.E. Falke’s son); he was postmaster for 46 years and moved the post office back into town. The original building was replaced with a stucco building across the highway.
Kasper’s Store opened on July 1, 1946; they also offered groceries, hardware, feed and cold drinks. Fred Kasper was postmaster from 1946 to 1992. When the oil boom hit the Warda area, he air-conditioned Kasper’s Store and started serving short order lunches complete with sun tea.
Upon Kasper’s retirement, the post office had to be renovated because everything inside it belonged to Kasper. Kasper’s Store was then sold to Gene and Sylvia Vinson and became known as Warda Store. A kitchen was added and the selection of food was expanded. A patio was added that later was closed in for a game room. Upon Gene Vinson’s death, the store was a bit too much for Sylvia to handle, and she sold it. We will continue the story
We will continue the story of Warda Store in next week’s column.
Credit to “Fayette County, Her History and Her People” (F. Lotto), “Footprints of Fayette” (Lillie Mae Brightwell) and “The Handbook of Texas” (Daphne Dalton Garrett) for the history information on Warda.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
The men’s club meeting scheduled for July 26 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on Oct. 18.
Events Still On
The sewing circle will resume, starting each Thursday at 9 a.m. All are welcome to join.
Bible Study
Bible Study meets at Holy Cross every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. You may join in person or via Zoom. Contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com for more information.
Holy Cross Services
Services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church are Sunday at 9 a.m. Bible Class follows the Sunday morning service.
Sermon links/streaming videos and additional information are on the website at www.holycrosswarda.com.
Sunday School
Sunday school for kids (kindergarten through grade 8) is now in person. Each Sunday, they will meet in the narthex after church. Seats will be spaced for distancing. For more information, contact Patty Schulze at (512) 914-5748.
Faith Lutheran High School
Faith Lutheran High School’s July office hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 pm. daily. Fridays and holidays will be by appointment only.
The school understands the seriousness of COVID-19 and is confident that their school environment, small class sizes and safety precautions will enable them to be back on campus full time in August. A detailed plan is currently being revised in preparation for August.
New student registration for 2020-2021 is underway. Contact FLHS at (979)-242-2889 to learn more.
Prayer Requests
Carol Jurk, William Jurk, Amy Wagner and Wesley Cervenka.
Sympathy
Sympathies are extended to Bobby Buscha and family on the death of his daughter, Barbara.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Gus Schramm, Jr. - July 27; Kory Moerbe - 28; Lenny Lehmann - 30; and Liam Heselmeyer and Shirley Varner - 31.
Anniversaries
Anniversary wishes are extended to Bobby and Carolyn Buscha, who celebrated on July 15.
Have News?
If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.