Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas
City

East end of downtown Fredericksburg

Seal
Nickname(s): Fritztown

Location of Fredericksburg, Texas
Coordinates: 30°16′27″N 98°52′19″W / 30.27417°N 98.87194°W / 30.27417; -98.87194Coordinates: 30°16′27″N 98°52′19″W / 30.27417°N 98.87194°W / 30.27417; -98.87194
Country United States
State Texas
County Gillespie
Government
 • Mayor Linda Langerhans
 • City Manager Kent Myers
Area
 • Total 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km2)
 • Land 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 1,693 ft (516 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 10,530
 • Density 1,595.5/sq mi (612.2/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 78624
Area code(s) 830
FIPS code 48-27348[1]
GNIS feature ID 1336174[2]

Fredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas.[3] As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 10,530.[4]

Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Old-time German residents often referred to Fredericksburg as Fritztown, a nickname that is still used in some businesses.[5] The town is also notable as the home of Texas German, a dialect spoken by the first generations of German settlers who initially refused to learn English. Fredericksburg shares many cultural characteristics with New Braunfels, which had been established by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels the previous year. Fredericksburg is the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. It is the sister city of Montabaur, Germany.[6] On October 14, 1970, the Fredericksburg Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas.[7]

For more details on this topic, see Fredericksburg Historic District (Texas).

History

Architecture

The Vereins Kirche, the Pioneer Museum Complex, Pioneer Memorial Library, and other architecture.

For more details on this topic, see Architecture of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Churches and religion

For more details on this topic, see Architecture of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Nimitz Hotel and National Museum of the Pacific War

For more details on this topic, see National Museum of the Pacific War.

Railway

On January 3, 1913, the San Antonio, Fredericksburg and Northern Railway was chartered to connect Fredericksburg with the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway near Waring.[8] A 920-foot (280 m) long railroad trestle was built, and still exists as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Old Tunnel bat habitat at 10619 Old San Antonio Rd, with provided picnic and restroom facilities for visitors.[9] The cost of the tunnel sent the railroad into receivership on October 28, 1914.[10] It was sold under foreclosure on December 31, 1917 to Martin Carle who deeded the property to the Fredericksburg and Northern Railway which had been chartered on December 26 of that year. The train operated until July 27, 1942.[11][12]

Agri-Tourism

The Fredericksburg-Stonewall area has become known as the Peach Capital of Texas.[13] and Benjamin Lester Enderle is known as the Father of the Hill Country Peach Industry. He was Gillespie County Surveyor and a math and science teacher at Fredericksburg High School when he planted five peach trees and began selling the fruit in 1921. Enderle worked to develop the Hale, Burbank, Elberta, and Stark varieties. He began marketing them through the H-E-B grocery chain, and eventually had 5,000 producing peach trees on 150 acres (61 ha).[14] Growers claim the taste[15] is due to the area having the right combination of elevation, sandy soil, and climate to produce flavorful clingstone and freestone peaches. The fruit ripens May–August, and consumers can either buy picked fruit, or pick their own.[16]

Main Street at Fredericksburg, a Biergarten is along the major street.

Herb farms,[17] grape culture, lavender production and wildflower seeds have become burgeoning businesses in Fredericksburg. Combinations of agribusiness with day spas, wedding facilities, or bed-and-breakfast accommodations are not unusual.[18] Even a Texas Hill Country Lavender Trail ha been designated.[19]

Lady Bird Johnson's passion for Texas wildflowers not only lives on in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, but also she also sparked a high demand for seed.[20] The 200-acre (81 ha) Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg was founded by John R. Thomas in 1983 as a result of that high demand, and produces 88 varieties of wildflower seeds. It is the largest family-owned wildflower seed farm in the United States and host of an annual Wildflower Celebration.[13][21][22]

In 1994, the Seventy-third Texas Legislature passed H.B. No. 1425, allowing brewpub operations within the state of Texas.[23] Fredericksburg Brewing Company began operations shortly thereafter.[24] A number of vineyards and related industry have also arisen in the post-LBJ era of Fredericksburg.[25] The designated American Viticultural Areas of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country AVA and the much larger Texas Hill Country AVA both include Fredericksburg inside their boundaries.[26] Fredericksburg is a common starting point or destination for tourists visiting wineries in the Texas Hill Country.[27][28]

Education

The city of Fredericksburg is served by the Fredericksburg Independent School District. The school's teams are called the "Battlin' Billies",[29] with the mascot being a male Angora goat. The "Billie" mascot originated because of the abundance of goats raised in this farming community, and because the image of a charging billy goat is well adapted to the game of football.

The first institute of higher learning in Fredericksburg was Fredericksburg College in 1876. The German Methodist Church of Fredericksburg founded the institution and offered courses in the arts, sciences, and foreign languages. Enrollment was about 150 students. W. J. R. Thoenssen was the first principal, succeeded by Charles F. Tansill. Finances caused the college to be closed in 1884. The property was sold to Fredericksburg Independent School District.[30]

For higher education, Fredericksburg is home to Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg.[31]

It also has some private schools, such as:

Fredericksburg has a municipally operated library adjacent to the Gillespie County Courthouse.

Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools

Headquartered in Fredericksburg, the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools is a group of former students and members of the community, interested in preserving the traditions of the old country schools, the community clubs, and the history of Gillespie County for future generations.[35]

Hospitals

Hill Country Memorial Hospital on Highway 16 is an acute-care facility that offers state-of-the-art medical care, preventive care, and a wellness center. It was ranked in the top 100 hospitals in the country.[36]

Transportation

Major roads

Airport

Gillespie County Airport[37] (FAA locator T82) is located on State Highway 16 South, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from downtown Fredericksburg, and features a 5,002 ft (1,525 m) long runway and a hotel and diner. The airport was established by Hans Hannemann and Red Schroeder. Prior to 1945, the facility had been owned by the United States Army Air Corps. Transient and long-term hangar rentals are available.[38][39]

Climate

Fredericksburg experiences a semiarid climate, with hot summers and a generally mild winters. Temperatures range from 82 °F (28 °C) in the summer to 49 °F (9 °C) during winter.

Climate data for Fredericksburg, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 90
(32)		 96
(36)		 101
(38)		 104
(40)		 102
(39)		 108
(42)		 109
(43)		 109
(43)		 109
(43)		 102
(39)		 92
(33)		 88
(31)		 109
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 61
(16)		 66
(19)		 73
(23)		 79
(26)		 84
(29)		 90
(32)		 93
(34)		 93
(34)		 88
(31)		 80
(27)		 69
(21)		 62
(17)		 78.2
(25.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 49
(9)		 53
(12)		 60
(16)		 67
(19)		 73
(23)		 79
(26)		 82
(28)		 81
(27)		 76
(24)		 68
(20)		 57
(14)		 50
(10)		 66.3
(19)
Average low °F (°C) 36
(2)		 39
(4)		 47
(8)		 54
(12)		 62
(17)		 68
(20)		 70
(21)		 69
(21)		 64
(18)		 56
(13)		 45
(7)		 38
(3)		 54
(12.2)
Record low °F (°C) −5
(−21)		 −3
(−19)		 12
(−11)		 24
(−4)		 38
(3)		 48
(9)		 55
(13)		 54
(12)		 35
(2)		 24
(−4)		 12
(−11)		 1
(−17)		 −5
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.36
(34.5)		 1.91
(48.5)		 1.86
(47.2)		 2.40
(61)		 4.29
(109)		 3.97
(100.8)		 2
(50)		 2.74
(69.6)		 3.07
(78)		 3.72
(94.5)		 2.19
(55.6)		 2.14
(54.4)		 31.65
(803.1)
Source: The Weather Channel[40]

Geography

View of Enchanted Rock

Fredericksburg is located at 30°16′27″N 98°52′19″W / 30.274058°N 98.871822°W / 30.274058; -98.871822 (30.274058, −98.871822).[41] This is about 63 miles (101 km) north of San Antonio and 67 miles (108 km) west of Austin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km2), all of it land.

Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a geographical landmark located 15 miles north of Fredericksburg . The rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet (130 m) above ground, 1,825 feet (556 m) above sea level, and covers 640 acres (260 ha). It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States, and was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1970. In 1994, the State of Texas opened it as Enchanted Rock State Natural Area after adding facilities. The same year, Enchanted Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[42][43]

Main article: Enchanted Rock

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock was a famous local landmark that perched atop Bear Mountain 10 mi (16 km) north of Fredericksburg.[44] The natural wonder stone pillar, about the size of a small elephant, precariously balanced on its small tip.[45] It fell prey to vandals who dynamited it off its base in April 1986.[46][47]

Cross Mountain

The first known record of Cross Mountain (elevation 1,915 feet (584 m)) was in 1847 by Dr. Ferdinand von Roemer. Native Americans used the location to signal each other about intrusions into their territory. The area was part of settler Dr. John Christian Durst's 10-acre (4.0 ha) allotment. Durst found a timber cross on the mountain, indicating that Spanish missionaries had once used the site. Durst named the place "Kreuzberg" or Cross Mountain. In 1849, Father George Menzel erected a new cross. In 1946, St. Mary's Catholic Church erected a metal and concrete cross. The mountain has been used both for the Easter Fires pageant and for Easter sunrise services. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1976.[48]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850754—
18701,164—
18801,085−6.8%
18901,53241.2%
19302,416—
19403,54446.7%
19503,8548.7%
19604,62920.1%
19705,32615.1%
19806,41220.4%
19906,9348.1%
20008,91128.5%
201010,53018.2%
Est. 201410,886[49]3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[50]
Fredericksburg city limits sign

As of the census[1] of 2000, 8,911 people, 3,784 households, and 2,433 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,342.1 people per square mile (518.2/km2). The 4,183 housing units averaged 630.0 per square mile (243.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.08% White, 0.27% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.09% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 17.00% of the population. English is spoken by 72.73% of the population, Spanish by 14.77%, and Texas German by 12.48%.[51]

Of the 3,784 households, 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were not families. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was distributed as 20.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 30.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,276, and for a family was $43,670. Males had a median income of $25,878 versus $22,171 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,788. About 7.5% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city of Fredericksburg is run under the council-manager form of government. As per the Home Rule Charter adopted May 1991,[52] the governing body of Fredericksbug consists of a mayor and four council members. Both the mayor and the council are elected in alternating years by the city at large for two-year terms with a limit of four consecutive terms.[53]

Mayor

Linda Langerhans[54]

Council Members

Media communications

Radio

AM Radio station KNAF went on the air in 1947. The original license was granted by the Federal Communications Commission to Arthur Stehling.[56] The license was transferred to Norbert Fritz and family.[57]

Newspapers

The Fredericksburg Standard was originally titled Gillespie County News and founded in 1888. The name change happened in 1907. The paper was purchased by the Fredericksburg Publishing Company in 1915, which also published the German language newspaper Fredericksburg Wochenblatt. The Radio Post began publishing in 1922 and was purchased in 1984 by the Fredericksburg Publishing Company. The two newspapers merged into the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.[58][59]

Fredericksburg in popular culture

Notable people

Gallery

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ 2010 Census: Fredericksburg Accessed: 11/28/2013
  5. ↑ Yelp: Fritztown Diesel and Trick Repair Accessed: 11/28/2013
  6. ↑ "Fredericksburg -V.G. Montabaur Sister City Organization".
  7. ↑ Fredericksburg, Texas NPS Accessed: 11/28/2013
  8. ↑ Young, Nancy Beck. "San Antonio, Fredericksburg and Northern Railway Company". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "Old Tunnel Bat Habitat". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  10. ↑ Eckhardt, C F. "The Little Engine That Couldn't". Charley Eckhardt's Texas. Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  11. ↑ Schmidt, F A. "Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area – Railroad History". Rails Through the Hill Country. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  12. ↑ Murphy, Victoria A. "Fredericksburg and Northern Railway". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  13. 1 2 Fodor's Texas. Fodor's. 2008. p. 179. ISBN 978-1-4000-0719-6.
  14. ↑ Murphy, Lloyd (June 8, 1983). "B. L. Enderle: Father of the Hill Country Peach Industry". Fredericksburg Standard.
  15. ↑ Meyer, Arthur L; Wilson, John A; LeNorte, Alain (1997). "Hill Country Peach Pave". Texas Tortes. University of Texas Press. pp. 19, 20. ISBN 978-0-292-75201-6.
  16. ↑ West, Richard (August 1978). "A Peace of a Deal". Texas Monthly: 83, 84.
  17. ↑ Albert, Susan Wittig (2006). China Bayles' Book of Days. Berkley Trade. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-425-20653-9.
  18. ↑ Reilly, Wendimere (2007). The Health Chic Guide: Hip, Fun & Delicious Living. Lulu.com. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-4303-0671-9.
  19. ↑ "Texas Hill Country Lavender Trail". Biscuit Hill. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  20. ↑ McDonald, Miller B; Kwong, Francis Y (2004). Flower Seeds. CABI. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-85199-906-7.
  21. ↑ Permenter, Paris; Bigley, John (2008). Insiders' Guide to San Antonio. Insiders' Guide. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-7627-4787-0.
  22. ↑ Welsh, PhD, Dr. Douglas F (2007). Doug Welsh's Texas Garden Almanac. TAMU Press. p. 359. ISBN 978-1-58544-619-3.
  23. ↑ "HB 1425". Texas State Legislature. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  24. ↑ "Fredericksburg Brewing Company". Fredericksburg Brewing Company. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  25. ↑ Abbott, Mary Lu (2003). Texas: Romantic Weekends. Hunter Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-58843-358-9.
  26. ↑ MacNeill, Karen (2001). The Wine Bible. Workman Publishing Company. p. 754. ISBN 978-1-56305-434-1.
  27. ↑ "Texas Hill Country Wineries". THCW. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  28. ↑ Jackson, Ronald S (2000). Wine Science, Second Edition: Principles, Practice, Perception. Academic Press. p. 488. ISBN 978-0-12-379062-0.
  29. ↑ Accessed: 11/29/2013
  30. ↑ Hartmann, Clinton P. "Fredericksburg College". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
  31. ↑ Texas Tech: Fredricksburg Accessed: 11/28/2013
  32. ↑ "Ambleside". Ambleside Fredericksburg. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  33. ↑ "Fredericksburg Christian School". Private School Review. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  34. ↑ "Heritage School". Heritage School. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  35. ↑ Historic Schools, The Friends of Gillespie Country Schools
  36. ↑ Adams (2004). The Austin/San Antonio Jobbank: Includes: Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lubbock, and many others : The job Hunter's Guide to Southern and Western Texas. Adams Media Corporation. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-59337-221-7.
  37. ↑ AirNav Gillespie Co Airport
  38. ↑ Williams, Cheryl (October–November 2006). "Profile: Gillespie County Airport, Fredericksburg, Texas". Wingtips (Texas Department of Transportation): 1–4.
  39. ↑ "Gillespie County Airport". AirNav, LLC. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  40. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Fredericksburg, Texas". The Weather Channel.
  41. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  42. ↑ "National Landmark, Enchanted Rock". National Park Service. Retrieved 6 May 2010. National Park Service
  43. ↑ "State Natural Area, Enchanted Rock". Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Retrieved 19 November 2010. Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept
  44. ↑ "Balanced Rock Pillar – Texas Mountain Peak Information". Mountain Zone.com. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  45. ↑ "Balanced Rock Postcard". Playle's Online Auctions. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  46. ↑ Kennedy, Ira (July 2003). "Crabapple Community-A World Unto Itself". Tourin' Texas. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  47. ↑ "Vandals Blast Balanced Rock". Schenectady Gazette. 26 April 1986.
  48. ↑ "Cross Mountain Historical Marker". Texas Historic Landmark. William Nienke, Sam Morrow. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  49. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Fredericksburg, Texas 2000 Census". Modern Language Association. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  52. ↑ "Home Rule Charter for the City of Fredericksburg" (PDF). City of Fredericksburg, Texas. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  53. ↑ "Fredericksburg City Council". City of Fredericksburg, Texas. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  54. ↑ Fredericksburg City Website: Mayor Accessed: 11/29/2013
  55. ↑ Fredericksburg City Website: Council Member Graham Pearson Accessed: 01/10/2015
  56. ↑ Dallek, Robert (1991). Lone Star Rising: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1908–1960. Oxford University Press. p. 411. ISBN 978-0-19-505435-4.
  57. ↑ "KNAF-AM History". Fritz Broadcasting. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  58. ↑ Kohout, Martin Donell. "Gillespie County". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  59. ↑ "Fredericksburg Standard". About Us. Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  60. ↑ Kohout, Martin Donell. "Brodbeck, Jacob Friedrich". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  61. ↑ Mueller, Esther L. "Estill, Amada Julia". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  62. ↑ Pitre, Merline. "Gaines, Matthew". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  63. ↑ Kohout, Martin Donell. "Jordan, Louis John". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
  64. ↑ "Baseball-Hugo Emil Klaerner". Tex Gen Web. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  65. ↑ "Facts and Rumors from Major-Minor League Ball Marts". The Lewiston Daily Sun. 21 November 1934.
  66. ↑ "Chester E. Nagel". An Inventory of his Drawings, Papers, and Photographs, c.1939–1971. University of Texas-Austin. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  67. ↑ Lieut Phillip I. Neel at Find a Grave
  68. ↑ Watkins, Melanie. "Petsch, Alfred PC". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  69. ↑ "Farm Bureau Week". The Harper Herald. 29 January 1971.
  70. ↑ Morton, Neil (2012-12-11). "Stehling, Taco Cabana founder, dies at 87". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  71. ↑ Wolz, Larry. "Van Der Stucken, Frank Valentine". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  72. ↑ "Walter, Hulda Saenger". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  73. ↑ "Susan B. Weddington". vehicle.codes. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  74. ↑ "Buffy Tyler". Playboy Magazine. Playboy Enterprises.

References

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fredericksburg, Texas.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Fredericksburg (Texas).
Wikisource has the text of a 1906 New International Encyclopedia article about Fredericksburg, Texas.
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