175 Years of
Fredericksburg
A celebration of the Hill Country town that has become Texas’ ultimate travel destination.
Photo by Will van Overbeek
John O. Meusebach couldn’t have imagined what would become of the settlement he established in 1846 on the Texas frontier. He found a tract of land 60 miles northwest of New Braunfels and bought 10,000 acres near the confluence of two streams, about 4 miles above the Pedernales River. The first German immigrants arrived on May 8, 1846, to the new town, which was named Fredericksburg after Prince Frederick of Prussia.
Nestled in the heart of the Hill Country, Fredericksburg continues to thrive today. The town holds tight to its German heritage in various ways with its beloved Main Street, restaurants, and cultural traditions. A proliferation of vineyards, wineries, galleries, and shopping have also infused the town with new energy and made it one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations.
Fredericksburg celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. To celebrate one of our favorite Texas places, we’re exploring Fredericksburg’s history, culture, and singular offerings through stories both new and old.
Part I: The Origins and History of Fredericksburg
Photo: Herman Kelly
Fredericksburg: A History
How German settlers had a lasting effect on the Hill Country town.
Photo: Will van Overbeek
German Immigrants Bucked Texas Conventions to Create Their Own Communities
By James L. Haley
Photo: Will Van Overbeek
Beyond Oktoberfest: Meet Fredericksburg’s Lesser-Known Traditions
By Sallie Lewis
Illustration: Sharif Tarabay
A Fredericksburg Native Reckons With His Hometown’s Evolution
By John Davidson
Photo by Will van Overbeek.
Sprechen Sie Texas Deutsch? How a Variation of German Once Ruled In Fredericksburg
By John Nova Lomax
Part II: Where to Eat in Fredericksburg
Photo by Jeffrey Wooten
From Peach Stand to Food Company to Cooking School: Inside Das Peach Haus
By Cynthia J. Drake
Photo by Michael Murphy
Fredericksburg Peach Growers Persevere Through Changing Times
By Pam LeBlanc
Photo by Eric W. Pohl
Opa’s Smokehouse in Fredericksburg Has Kept Generations of Customers Coming Back for More
By Sallie Lewis Longoria
Photo by Jessica Attie.
Family Is the Key Ingredient at Fredericksburg’s Hill Top Cafe
By Sallie Lewis
Part III: Wine, Beer, and More
Photo by Will van Overbeek.
Wineries are the Rage, But Breweries Tie Fredericksburg to the Town’s German Roots
By Pam LeBlanc
Photo: Will van Overbeek
11 Wineries to Visit in Fredericksburg Now
Don’t forget to stop and sip while strolling historic Main Street—plus a few off the beaten path
Photo by Eric W. Pohl
This Fredericksburg Restaurant Features a Rare All-Texas Wine List
By John Lumpkin
Photo by Eric W. Pohl
Late Summer Grape Stomping Has Become a Texas Tradition
By Julia Jones
Photo by Eric W. Pohl
Elk Store in Fredericksburg Models Itself After a Prohibition-Era Speakeasy
By Kimya Kavehkar
Part IV: Where to Stay
Photo by Kevin B. Stillman
Take A Nostalgia Trip at the Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg
By Sallie Lewis
Part V: Things to Do
Photo by Karen Hoffman Blizzard
Rejuvenate Your Spirit With a ‘Boulder Bathing’ Trek at Enchanted Rock
By Karen Hoffman Blizzard
Photo by Will van Overbeek.
From One Hometown Hero to Another: the Legacy of Fredericksburg’s National Museum of the Pacific War
By Sallie Lewis
Photo by Will van Overbeek
A daughter connects with her father’s World War II service the National Museum of the Pacific War
By Kathryn Jones
Photo by Laurence Parent
Watch Out for Tiny ‘Fairy Shrimp’ on Your Next Hike Up Enchanted Rock
By Heide Brandes
Photo by Michael Amador
It’s the Holidays Year Round at Fredericksburg’s Christmas Store
By Sofia Sokolove
Photo by Eric W. Pohl
Meet Fredericksburg’s Ultimate German Souvenir Shop: Kuckuck’s Nest
By Sallie Lewis
Photo by Kenny Braun
Horse Racing, Ferris Wheels, Dancing—Find it All at the Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg
By Gretchen M. Sanders
