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Blending
German Colonization with Modern Tourism
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Today Main Street shows off dozens of marvelous shops for collectibles,
antiques, crafts, etc. There are German restaurants, beer gartens,
and bakeries (with shortbread, baked meringue, kolaches). The pleasing
scents of candles fill the nostrils. Unobtrusive doorways lead to
mysterious courtyards. Many of the ubiquitous historical markers are
noticeable only if you are on foot in this understated, rich historical
district. Churches stand all over the town like watchtowers of strength.
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Admiral
Nimitz State Historic Site - National Museum of the Pacific War
P O Box
777
Fredericksburg TX 78624
830/997-4379
Admiral Nimitz Museum
Courtesy of Sandy Fiedler |
| On
Main Street is the Admiral Chester Nimitz Museum and Historical
Center. Fredericksburg is proud to be the birthplace of Nimitz,
Fleet Admiral of the Pacific Forces in World War II. This museum is
part of the National Museum of the Pacific War with the new George
Bush Gallery. (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/nimitz/) |
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Authentic
cabin relocated to Pioneer Museum Complex
Courtesy of Sandy Fiedler |
"There
are many bed and breakfast establishments and motels-there are no
bad places to stay in Fredericksburg," voiced one resident. "Everything
is clean and safe."
Fredericksburg
Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
How did Fredericksburg become the tourist haven it is today?
A talk with Mark Williams of the Pioneer Museum gives insight. "Fredericksburg's
life blood is tourism, but it wasn't planned that way."
He explained that in the early 1930s, Albert Keidel, a descendent
of immigrants, studied architecture. He noticed how the wealthy Dupont
family had invested big money in the restoration of the colonial town
of Williamsburg, Virginia. He tried to interest Fredericksburg citizens
in preserving the treasures they took for granted. The community rejected
his prodding. Eventually, however, he created the well-known "homestead
style" of architecture based on a variety of locally used styles.
His influence along with that of another man, Tyrus Cox, indirectly
caused the restoration and appreciation of the local architecture
whose examples were beginning to decay.
"Then a morbid thing happened that helped put Fredericksburg on the
map," related Mark intriguingly. "It was the JFK assassination."
Mark explained that the home of the new president, Lyndon B. Johnson,
was just a few miles east. There was only one place nearby for the
press to stay-Fredericksburg. After covering the news on the Johnson
Ranch, reporters did the natural thing: they found human interest
stories in Fredericksburg and the German culture. This exposure caused
citizens to speed up restoration in the early 1970s. Money came in
from Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, causing property values of old
homes to soar.
"Fredericksburg is slowly being kicked into the twenty-first century,"
Mark observed. "As late as 1979, it was still more nineteenth century.
Because of the influx of people and money from all over the U.S.,
the closed, tightly knit culture is being overwhelmed. There still
is much genuine flavor, but it is becoming commercialized."
He noted that presently there are about two or three thousand descendants
of the first immigrants.
"Technology is pushing the future on them now," Mark added. "Monday
through Thursday it is a sleepy town, but Friday through Sunday, traffic
is bumper to bumper."
The April 1999 issue of National Geographic carries an article
titled, "Texas Hill Country." Author John Graves writes about
the old German settlements. "Boerne,
Comfort,
even Fredericksburg the jewel-all
are now ringed by standard American clutter and filled with tourist
shops, serenity having dwindled away."
But you can regain a sense of what it used to be if you start with
a tour of the Pioneer Museum Complex on Main Street in Fredericksburg.
A Founders' Day Festival is held there every May.
Gillespie County Courthouse - next page |
Enchanted
Rock State Natural Area - 325/247-3903
On Big Sandy Creek, near Gillespie and Llano County lines.
18 miles North of Fredericksburg on Ranch Road 965
16710 Ranch Rd 965
Fredericksburg TX 78624
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/enchantd/
Tourist information:
Pioneer Museum
Complex
309 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 1-5 Closed major holidays
Website: pioneermuseum.com
Gillespie County
Historical Society
830-997-2835
© Sandy Fiedler
October, 2000
More Fredericksburg,
Texas
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