Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Fredericksburg, TX
Year Listed: 2000
Fredericksburg, Texas, (population 8,300) is a vibrant town in the hills of central Texas that has evolved from a safe haven for German immigrants to a community recognized for its historic Main Street, special festivals, and outdoor recreation. Founded in 1846 by Germans seeking a better life and religious freedom, Fredericksburg was originally noted for its progressive leadership and its peaceful treaty with neighboring Comanche Indians. At the turn of the 19th century, Fredericksburg was still a sleepy German settlement until a railroad connected the city to San Antonio, boosting the local economy. The railroad required a tunnel, which was burrowed through the Hill Country limestone. Today it remains one of the few railroad tunnels in Texas. The Nimitz Hotel, founded by the grandfather of World War II Admiral Chester Nimitz, became a welcome respite for travelers heading West. After the Civil War, Fredericksburg flourished as a Hill Country marketplace. Fredericksburg is known as the "town of steeples" for its wide variety of church steeples. Fredericksburg’s Main Street area is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and features at least 40 restaurants, more than 300 traditional bed and breakfast inns, and several private guest houses. Many of those buildings were originally some of the town’s legendary "Sunday houses", where early pioneers and farmers stayed for the weekend when they came into town to sell produce and attend church. The newly renovated "Markt Platz" (Market Square) is a town showcase, with businesses, offices, and services in a mixed use of renovated historic buildings and compatible new construction. Among the town’s historic attractions are seven museums, including the Pioneer Museum Complex, which explores Fredericksburg’s early history. The "Vereins Kirche" (Community Church) is an exact replica of the community’s first church and meeting room, and houses a variety of historical artifacts. Visitors can also enjoy nearby LBJ Ranch, Admiral Nimitz Museum, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, George Bush Gallery of the Pacific War, and Lady Bird Johnson Park, which offers swimming, fishing, picnic areas, golf, tennis, and softball. Today, Fredericksburg is truly a throwback to the Old World, rich in history and tradition, reflecting its German roots with more than 80 historic sites and 50 cultural events and festivals, including an Oktoberfest, "Night in Old Fredericksburg", and the state’s oldest County Fair
