The Sokol was founded in Prague in 1862 by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Feugner. The society's symbol, the sokol, or falcon, represents "swiftness, vigor, strength, heroism, daring and high flight." The society combines studies fro the development of the mind with systematic training for the body, and the organizational motto is "a sound mind  in a sound body." It has always been known chiefly for its gymnastic program and the slet  (Gymnastic "flying" meet) which features displays of competitive skills, along with special group dance drills with colorful costumes.

The American branch of the Sokol, Narodní jednota sokolská, was one of the most popular Czech organizations in America. It had a relatively late start in Texas, however, and it was already twenty-five years old when the first state unit was organized in Ennis in 1908. Dogobert Novák was instrumental in persuading the local members to join the national organization.  In 1909, local units were organized in Shiner, Hallettsville, and Granger, and by 1936 Texas had about twenty units which belonged to the National Sokol Society. The Catholic counterpart to the Sokol, which was open only to Catholics, was organized in Texas about the same time. By 1934, sixteen local units existed in the state. The Sokol  halls usually served as social and civic centers as well as gymnasiums. Almost all members were Texas Czechs, and the Sokols helped strengthen a sense of ethnic solidarity. [The Sokols]...sponsored Czech language classes and choral and dance clubs.

Excerpted from the book: Krásná Amerika: A Study of the Texas Czechs, 1851 - 1939, by Clinton Machann and James W. Mendl, and published by Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, in 1983.

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