The Sokół (‘Falcon’) Gymnastic Society became the symbol of the social activity of the inhabitants of Wadowice. The idea of ‘falcon’ societies was born in Habsburg Bohemia, whence it reached Austrian Galicia in 1867. It was in 1887 that inhabitants of Wadowice established their own falcon organisation. The goal of the association was promoting kinetic gymnastics and conducting educational activities. The majority of the 31 founding members were advocates and teachers. The construction of the Wadowice ‘Sokolnia’ (‘Falcon House’) was completed in 1889. However, the new building turned out to be insufficient for the needs of the association. Later that same year it was reconstructed according to the concept of the excellent architect, Teodor Talowski. In 1897 there were noisy celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the activity ofthe Society in Wadowice; it was also an opportunity to organise the First Regional Jamboree of the ‘Falcons’. Activities organised by the ‘Falcon’ were attended by pupils from local schools, among these students from the Gymnasium. Apart from gymnastic activities, the society also offered an amateur drama club and a choir as well as cycling, fencing, tennis and bowling. From the beginning of the 1890s, members of the ‘Falcon’ would prepare an ice rink in winter. An important area of activity were also classes in shooting. After 1912 the Falcon Field Team had up to 160 shooters.
In September 1914 the shooters from Wadowice were incorporated into the organisation of the Polish Legions. The head of the ‘Falcon’s nest was Mieczysław W. Gedl (1852-1901). He was born in Vienna but chose to live in Wadowice. He moved to Wadowice in 1877 and started his medical practice.His duties with respect to the town included being the court and prison doctor as well as a town councillor. From December 1888, he was an ordinary member of the Society. On his initiative, the committee for the construction of the ‘Falcon House’ was established; and due to his efforts, he was appointed director (1890-1901).
The famous Migration Trial (1889/1890)
For four months, in late 1889 and early 1890, the famous ‘migration trial’ was held at the Wadowice Circuit Court. In the dock were 66 members of a criminal group headed by Jakub Klausner. For several years, this group had been involved in migration fraud, extortion of money from people who tried to obtain work in the USA and forcing women into prostitution. Due to the scale of the trial and the number of journalists present, the trial was moved to the largest hall in the town, i.e. to the ‘Sokół’ (‘Falcon’). A total of 439 witnesses were summoned during the trial. Over 400 intercepted documents, letters and accounting books were analysed. The trial ended with only partial success for the prosecutors as the sentences of imprisonment were only diminutive.