Věstník (West, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 24, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 10, 1964 Page: 41 of 68
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VĚSTNÍK . 39
First horné of thé Dallas Sokol unií, eompieíed in. Apriií, 1915.' It
was located on Caři Street, just ofí Scconcl Avenue.. •
•'.■■'/i í-
Wednesday, June 10, 1964
moving- into Dallas. Membership ílour-
íshed lii this new Sokol Unit and its
memburs were quiek to recognize and
accept the responsibility íor contribu-
ting to the physieal, rnoral and men-
ta 1 liealth and fitness of the commu-
nity of which this unit was a part. To
achieve this first goal as a new Sokol
Unit, its members conceived the first
Physieal Training School and classes
were hekl in the members’ yards wíiere
limited- gymnastic equipraent was
available, Being very sliort of funds,
most of . the equipment was impro vised
by the membership..
*
As the unit expanded, its membership
and activities expanded to not oiily
gymnastícs, but included lectures, pre-
sentation of stage plays, etc.
Its membership was also quiek to
recognize the need to organize a Ladies’
Auxiliary which could partieipate in
these activities. With this in mind, the
Sokol “Libuše” was organized in 1913
as a Ladies’ Auxiliary Unit. With the
addition of this unit, the wooien joined
the men- as eqiials in Sokol activities.
As the unit gained new members
and its gymnastic classes expanded, its
íounders realized that the time hacl
come when this unit must find a per-
mament home in which to conduct
gymnastic activities and meetings.
Consequently, the membership appoin-
ted a Building Committee in 1914. To
raise funds, various activities were en~
gaged in such as stage plays, dances,
gymnastic exhibitions and bazaars.
Members, their friends and business or-
ganizations contributed of their time
and money to enable Sokol Zizka to
commence construction of their new
home in 1915. The “Sokolovna” was
completed in April of that year an
achievement turning into a reality that
was only a dreani of this uniťs found
ers.
Realizing that sociál activities, such
as dances to be held in the new home,
were their best source of income —
an orchestra was organized composed
of Sokol members which plavec! at
all Sokol funetions without charge.
This is just one example of how this
uniťs members gave of their time to
see that Sokol was properly establisli-
ed in this community.
The need for a Czech Library was
urgent, since no Czech literatuře or
materiál was avaiJaíble through public
libraries To meet this need, a library
was establishod and1 named after Jan
Hus, in memory of this great man. The
library was established with 270 books
which were loaned or donated by the
membership. The library quickly gain-
ed several hundred more books as peo-
ple from near and far came to seek
use of this fine library ond in apprecia-
tion, donated more books to expa.nd
this fine collection of Czech literatuře
and novels.
In 1915, the Czech National Couneil
of America was formed within the
membership of Sokol. This was an or-
ganization to help the United States
and Czechoslovak war effort; as there
were many Czech soldiers in the armies
of our Allies fighting for the inděpeh-
dence of their homeland. In 1916, with
war imminent, the young Sokol male
members began drillimg and training
in earnest for the coming war. With
the Uinited States entering the first
'World War in 1917, 14 members joiriéd
the Anned Forces, with the balance of
the membershio — young and old —
doing their part toward the war effort.
Those who read! this beginniňg of our
unit must realize that our íounders
were- all immigrants of Czech descent
who had strong třes with their home-
land, and who left their homes in Eu-
rope to escape poverty — seek a better
way of liře — and en.joy the freedom
provided by this great counťry of ours.
ReaPze, too — they left their families
behind and that they joined in the war
effort, not only to keep our United
States strong and free, but to gain
freedom and independence for their
homeland of Czechoslovakia. The Sokol
Unit worked with the Czech National
Council of America to raise funds for
the Legionaires.
With the end of the war, Sokol acťi-
vities again retrned to normál and
gymnastic classes resumed in full force.
In its truc : spirit • of cooperation and
Service to its community, the Sokol
Gymnasium beeamc the home of other
Czech organizations. In 1917, Lóclge Ja-
ro, SPJST. No. 130, was formed which
is ' a fraternal Insurance organization
and also the SVPS Chapter of Mutual
Fire Insurance was organized at this
location for the benefit of all Czech
immigrants, regardles of whether they
were members or not. In 1935, the Cir-
cle of Czech Women was formed, which
has contributed so greatly to our
growth. All these organizations worlc
harmoniously together for the better-
ment of our community and our Na-
tion. ř
With tbe advent of the Second World
War, our gymnastic activities were
again eurtailed, as most of our young
men went off to war.- Sokol activities
were reduced to Women’s and Ohil-
dren’s Classes and other.. activities, such
as plays, bazaars, et cetera.
AI: tbe close of hostilifes Sokol once
again became a center of activity for
our gymnastic classes.
As cm; great City of Dallas grows —
so must our unit. Our membership saw
the need for expansion and in 1954
onnointed a Site Committee to look for
a new home.
Today the great Sokol and SPJST
Gymnasium and Rcreatioň Center is a
reality; For growth, coupled with direc-
tion. here is new and tangible evidence
of Dallas’ Czeclioslovaks vision to pian
ahead for the continuing growth of
Dallas — Southwest.
It takés us back to a regular meet-
ing of the Sokols in the year of 1954,
when, after almost a half-century Of
continuous operation at tile same lo-
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Morris, Nick. Věstník (West, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 24, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 10, 1964, newspaper, June 10, 1964; West, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth624945/m1/41/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas.