Beloved Texas Music Venue The Lumberyard Destroyed in Fire
Dubbed “The Luckenbach of West Texas” and likened to Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, The Lumberyard in the unlikely location of Roscoe, TX about 50 miles west of Abeline had gone from a good idea to a great venue beloved by many over the last decade. Country legends such as Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Charley Pride, and Crystal Gayle all played there, as did more modern legends like Lumberyard regular Dale Watson. And now it has been completely destroyed.
Fire ripped through the 100-year-old structure that used to house a legitimate lumberyard, and was converted into a music venue in October of 2010 by the City Manager of Roscoe, Cody Thompson. Since then it has gone on to not only be beloved by locals, but has become a destination spot for people in the area and beyond, and for many artists who like to work Roscoe and The Lumberyard into their touring plans, despite being such a small town of only 1,300.
The venue is given credit for revitalizing the small town after a bypass to Interstate 20 took most of the town’s traffic. The outdoor stage of The Lumberyard had a capacity of 2,500, and was named the “Merle Haggard Stage.” The south stage with the dance floor in front was called the “Ray Price Stage.” The Lumberyard hosted music most every weekend—outdoors when weather permitted, or inside when it didn’t.
According to the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department, the building had become completely engulfed in flames by 1:20 a.m. early Friday morning (7-16). It has since been declared a total loss. No indication at the moment what started the blaze. Along with being a music venue, The Lumberyard also operated as a restaurant. Miraculously, one of the outdoor stages and the Texas flag as its backdrop survived the blaze. Otherwise, the building is completely gone.
No word at the moment what the future plans are for the business, or if they’ll rebuild.
July 17, 2021 @ 3:03 pm
Hmmmm – I wonder what killed it? Maybe it didn’t get vaccinated-
July 17, 2021 @ 11:18 pm
I would ask kindly for folks to not wildly veer into divisive subjects in this comments section. This is a country music website, and this story involves the destruction of an important country music venue. Let’s please keep our comments on topic. Thanks.
July 17, 2021 @ 3:55 pm
Lots of Jewish lightning happening since the pandemic.
People trying to recoup losses however they can.
July 17, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
“Jewish lightning?”
Trigger? Are you okay with such a blatantly anti-semetic comment being posted on your website?
July 17, 2021 @ 8:10 pm
My apolgies Arlene.
Love my Israeli and Jewish brothers & sisters.
Did not mean it in an anti-semitic way.
July 17, 2021 @ 8:24 pm
Hahaha, love it. Its not racism if its positive. Make the insurance companies pay..
July 17, 2021 @ 9:21 pm
@Blackh4t- Stereotypes can be offensive even if “positive” (for example the assumption that Blacks are all good athletes or great dancers, or that Jews are “thrifty” or “ shrewd” about how they handle money.). Moreover, the earlier comment above suggests that Jews are “smart enough” to routinely engage in insurance fraud, which is a crime, so it’s really not “positive,” even if it was intended to be.
July 17, 2021 @ 9:13 pm
I accept your good faith apology. Thank you. My view is that comments can be offensive for perpetuating stereotypes even if they were not intended to be insulting or derogatory. Thanks again.
July 17, 2021 @ 9:28 pm
Thank You, Arlene.
Appreciate it.
July 17, 2021 @ 11:05 pm
No, I’m not. As I explained in the other post today, I’m out in the field where there is no reception, and can’t babysit the comments section every minute. Don’t understand why this story stimulated some to bring up such divisive subjects. You have to understand your comments reflect on this community. No reason to bring up vaccinations, and no reason to accuse the owners of this venue of arson. Please think about the other people who read this website before you post. These comments sections aren’t here for you to vent all of your personal frustrations. This is a country music website.
July 18, 2021 @ 4:29 am
Such a sad story as was the other old venue near DFW area that
was also lost recently.
Hopefully they rebuild, too many places are disappearing these days even before Covid, but also many young people don’t go out to see live music and support the places.
July 21, 2021 @ 1:36 pm
If you can please donate, if you can’t please at least share the link. https://gofund.me/aa2fd4bb