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Written by Shirley T
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 07:15 |
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Willkommen! Welcome to Fredericksburg! Of strong German influence, Fredericksburg is a town that we intentionally picked to be included in our itinerary during our road trip to Enchanted Rock. Located in Gillispie County of Texas (United States), Fredericksburg is about 63 miles (101 km) north of San Antonio and 67 miles (108 km) west of Austin.
After our lunch at Altdorf (W. Main Street, Fredericksburg), we roamed along the Main Street heading west and soon entered Pioneer Museum to begin the history lesson of Fredericksburg. What we didn't realize was it was almost half past four when we walked into Pioneer Museum and it will be closed by 5pm. A friendly veteran lady in dirndl (traditional German dress) approached us and recommended us to take the tour earlier on the next day as there are enormous historical sights in the museum compound and rather a waste of not be able to finish everything.
Nevertheless, she did not let us left empty handed, instead she related to us a rich summary of Germans that lived in frugality, their hopes to travel to new world in searching of better life besides their early establishment in Fredericksburg. Indeed, she is our Fredericksburg history teacher who has all the figures and facts in her wrinkled fingers!
Founded in 8 May 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, Fredericksburg (or Friedrichsburg in German) was derived from Prince Frederick of Prussia, the highest ranking member of the Mainzer Adelsverein (Noblemen's Society). Back then, German dialect was widely spoken by the first generations of settlers and was the main language used on the streets. Today, some families still speak German dialect at home but most folks here do understand English.
The city of Fredericksburg is steeped in history. If you wish to take a heritage walking tour, start from Visitor Information Center which is located at 302 East Austin Street. Ample parking is available and you may leave your vehicles there while touring the town. Do not forget to grab a map of 'Walking Tour of Historic District' that will guide you on what to look for in the loop you are taking.
The hallmark of Fredericksburg is its 3.5 miles Main Street which run across hundreds of historically significant structures that some have turned into commercial/business buildings. Still you may see examples of homes, churches, civic structures and the most famous Fredericksburg Sunday houses.
Sunday House is a unique residential townhouse built by German settlers who lived in rural areas. A typical Sunday house were built either frame or rock and it was used over weekends while they traded in town or attended church. As transportation improved, some of these houses became general stores or left abandoned.
Log cabin was one of the earliest architectural style in Fredericksburg and Kammlah House is one of the examples along E. Main Street (almost next to Pioneer Museum).
Later they slowly adopted limestone as this material was readily available in this area. As time passed, they also built homes from rock or stone in grander scale and finally in 2000s, it is a contemporary style of Hill Country-style homes!
Anywhere in this town, history and architectural styles surround you. Along the way, do not miss the famous landmarks of Fredericksburg - Nimitz Hotel (1860) which has turned to 'National Museum of the Pacific War', White Elephant Saloon (1888), Bank of Fredericksburg (1898), of course Pioneer Museum and the much-loved symbol of German heritage - Vereins Kirche.
The former Vereins Kirche (or community church) built in 1847 served as a town hall for meetings, schooling, a fort for protection against Indians and a church for all faiths. Unfortunately, the building was demolished in 1897 and later resurrected in 1935 as a museum to house history of Fredericksburg.
Having enough of history, you may opt to relax at any of the restaurants or cafes and enjoy their well-known good peaches! Also a town that offers plenty of choices for antiques, home decor, arts, collectibles and handwork.
If you are in Texas and looking forward to celebrate Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg is the city to head to!
Getting there?
Fredericksburg - Visitor Information Center
320 East Austin Street,
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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Pioneer Museum
325 West Main Street,
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Phone: (830) 990-8441
Hours: Mon-Sat (10am - 5pm), Sunday (12pm - 4pm)
Admission: Adults - $5
If you are looking to stay at this place you can try to do a Hotel Search
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