Sokol Hall

The New Telocvičná Slovenská Jednota Sokol Hall (aka Sokol Hall) was opened by the Tel. Jed. Sokol to serve as a home for its rich history of gymnastics as well as events including Bohemian language plays and Czech-influenced dances. Though there was an existing Sokol Hall just four miles away in Bruno, Abie was growing in the 1920’s and the New Sokol Hall launched in June of 1923 and would open with a community, All Neighbors dance featuring the sousedská.

From 1926 to 1930, the Hall became known by the Parish Theatre as motion pictures were tried as a major source of programming as the Depression began. But the Parish Theatre did not convert to sound and became known as the Sokol Hall (dropping “New”). But the combination of a declining population, challenging economic times, and the demise of the big band / dance hall era and rise of television led to many fewer events for the Sokol Hall.

One notable event occurred in 2007 when Nebraska’s King of Polka, Ernie Kucera, died that summer but his funeral was held in the Hall with some of his original bandmates playing on the stage. The Hall managed to make to its 94th year of operation before the town whose population had sunk to just 69 residents in 2017 finally closed the Hall.

Because half of the city’s resources were needed just to keep the Hall going, the decision was challenging but necessary. The town instead razed its landmark business district including the former bank building, Kelly’s Cafe and Abie’s Bar.

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