FREDERICKSBURG

Altitude 1,743

General

ADMIRAL NIMITZ MUSEUM

BAUER TOY MUSEUM

BED & BREAKFAST

DULCIMER FACTORY

EASTER FIRES

ENCHANTED ROCK STATE PARK

FORT MARTIN SCOTT

LADY BIRD JOHNSON STATE PARK

PIONEER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

PIONEER MUSEUM COMPLEX

SUNDAY HOUSES

VEREINS KIRCHE MUSEUM

VISITOR INFORMATION

WINERIES

Attractions

• ADMIRAL NIMITZ MUSEUM - Consists of (1) the restored Nimitz Steamboat Hotel, famous frontier hostelry (c. 1852), which houses the Museum of the Pacific War; (2) Garden of Peace, gift from the people of Japan; (3) History Walk, lined with rare aircraft, tanks and guns. Fleet Admiral Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg in 1885. At his request, center is dedicated to all who served with him during WW II. At 304 E. Main Street.
• BAUER TOY MUSEUM - Toy soldiers, fire trucks, airplane replicas, character and smaller toys recall bygone days. Also included is a hand-crafted village with toy automobiles and trains and a 35 foot long diorama depicting Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." 233 East Main Street.
• BED & BREAKFAST - Many local homes offer overnight accommodations. Chamber of Commerce offers list.
• DULCIMER FACTORY - Oldest original American stringed instrument made from a variety of woods in factory. Tours and history of the dulcimer conducted by the owner. 155 E. Main Street.
• EASTER FIRES - An unknown pioneer mother more than 100 years ago told the first Easter Fires story to quiet fears of her children - a charming tale of the Easter rabbit who lit and tended hillside fires to boil traditional eggs. In reality the fires were those of Indians awaiting outcome of peace talks with settler's agreement was reached and the two groups lived in peace in the Pedernales Valley. The cherished tradition remains today; hillside fires still glow each Easter Eve while pageant retells the story.
• ENCHANTED ROCK STATE PARK - Massive dome of solid granite famed in Indian legend' said to be the site of human sacrifices, some tribes feared to set foot on it; others used height as rallying point; all held it in awe and reverence. Indians believed ghost fires flickered on crest on moonlit nights. A national natural landmark, the dome about 640 acres; 500 feet high. Open year round. Hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling, picnicking, primitive camping in designated areas (reservations accepted). Eighteen miles north off R.M. 965. Admission.
• FORT MARTIN SCOTT - Site of first Federal fort established in Texas, 1848, (three years after Texas joined the U.S.) to guard the frontier from Indians. But German settlers had already arrived and established a treaty of friendship with the Comanches. Perhaps unique among Indian treaties, it was never broken by either side. With mutual trust, fort became a center of commerce between settlers, Indians, and soldiers.
Fort with 21 buildings served until 1853. The only original structure still standing was the post guardhouse, now restored. Visitor center and the model of the fort and plans for extensive restoration. Also on display are artifacts, documents, and fascinating details about trade in bear grease, sugar, rice, and coffee. Beef was four cents a pound. Operated by the Fredericksburg Heritage Foundation; two miles east on U.S. 290.
• LADY BIRD JOHNSON STATE PARK - Excellent 190 acre municipal park features fully equipped RV sites (fees), golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, badminton. Shaded picnic areas with grills, group pavilions, Small lake for boating, canoes, fishing, and pedal boats. Texas 16, 3.5 miles south
• PIONEER MEMORIAL LIBRARY - Housed in restored structure that was Gillespie County courthouse from 1882 to 1939. Library includes documents and books brought by early German settlers. 115 West Main.
• PIONEER MUSEUM COMPLEX - Operated by Gillespie County Historical Society, the complex centers on eight-room furnished pioneer home and store, built in 1849, wine cellar and flagstone hof (yard); pioneer kitchens with open hearths. Other structures include another home, barn, smokehouse, Sunday house, and log cabin. 309 West Main Street. Admission.
• SUNDAY HOUSES - Tiny houses built by early settlers for use on weekends. From their farm and ranch homes miles away from town, early residents would journey into Fredericksburg for Saturday marketing and church on Sunday. Several of the small houses remain today, marked by historical medallions. Private residences, open only on occasional tours. Some now serve as bed & breakfast.
• VEREINS KIRCHE MUSEUM - Reconstructed "coffee mill church", eight sided structure was first public building in the city, serving as house of worship, school, and meeting hall. Now holds archives, local history, collection, and archaeological items. Market Square on West Main Street midtown.
• VISITOR INFORMATION - Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau is at 106 North Adams
• WINERIES - Pedernales Vineyards; Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tours and tastings. Estate bottled Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Texas 16 south 4.5 miles.
Oberbellmann Vineyards: Operation began in 1974 with vineyards planted in abandoned fields; old-world type building house the winery. Complimentary tours, tastings of Chardonnay, Reislings, and Pinot Noir. On Texas 16, 14 miles north.

Back to Main | Advertiser's Index | City Index

x
This file was last modified Thursday, 12-Oct-95 01:36:56