History of Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg was named after Prussia's king, Frederick William III. Fredericksburg was founded by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach in 1846. He abandoned his title and took on a more American name, John O. Meusebach. Many Germans fled their homeland after the 1848 revolution failed, and Fredericksburg became home to many German immigrants. These Germans were self reliant and acted independently. They even refused to learn English and started their own German dialect known today as Texas German.

The Fredericksburg settlers were very pro-union and were against the withdraw from the union prior to the Civil War. This made them outcasts because slavery was very popular in Texas and other Southern states. Not only were these German settlers independent thinkers, but they also treated the local Indian tribes with respect. They made a peace treaty with the local Comanche tribe that has been kept for over 150 years, something that rarely happened in those days.

Fredericksburg had a population of 10,432 in 2005. It is located in Gillespie County in south central Texas, adjacent to the Pedernales River. They grow peaches, lavender, and raise cattle there. The land is conducive to quarrying with an abundance of granite, sand, and gravel. Animal feed, processed foods, and mill work are some other things the city is known for producing. The city generates a lot of revenue from tourism. People are attracted to its architecture, culture, the Texas German language, and the hunting and fishing. They also have The National Museum of the Pacific War, the Pioneer Museum, and the Bauer Toy Museum.