Fredericksburg, Texas facts for kids

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Fredericksburg, Texas

City

East end of downtown Fredericksburg

Seal

Nicknames:

Fritztown, The Burg

Location of Fredericksburg, Texas

Country

United States

Prince Frederick of Prussia

Area

• Total

9.25 sq mi (23.95 km²)

• Land

9.19 sq mi (23.81 km²)

• Water

0.05 sq mi (0.14 km²)

Elevation

1,723 ft (525 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

10,875

• Density

1,176.04/sq mi (454.07/km²)

Time zone

UTC−06:00 (Central (CST))

• Summer (DST)

UTC−05:00 (CDT)

ZIP Code

78624

Area code(s)

830

FIPS code

48-27348

GNIS feature ID

2410542

Fredericksburg (which is Friedrichsburg in German) is a city in Texas, United States. It is the main city, or seat, of Gillespie County. In 2020, about 10,875 people lived here.

The city was started in 1846. It was named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Older German residents often called it Fritztown, and some businesses still use this fun nickname today. Fredericksburg is about 70 miles northwest of San Antonio and 80 miles west of Austin.

Fredericksburg is special because it was home to Texas German. This was a unique German language spoken by the first German settlers who didn't want to learn English. The city shares many traditions with New Braunfels, another Texas city founded by Germans. Fredericksburg is also the birthplace of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, a very important leader in World War II. It is a "sister city" to Montabaur, Germany, meaning they have a special friendly connection. In 1970, the Fredericksburg Historic District became a protected historic place. This means its important buildings and areas are kept safe for the future.

Exploring Fredericksburg's Geography

Fredericksburg is located in the middle of Gillespie County. It's about 70 miles north of San Antonio and 78 miles west of Austin. The city covers about 9 square miles of land. Only a tiny part is covered by water.

Discover Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a huge, pink granite dome. It's a famous natural landmark about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. This giant rock rises 425 feet above the land around it. Its top is 1,825 feet above sea level. The rock covers a large area of 640 acres.

Enchanted Rock is a great place for outdoor fun. You can hike on 8.4 miles of trails, go camping, or have a picnic. It's also popular for rock climbing. This rock is one of the biggest underground rock formations (called a batholith) in the United States. It was named a National Natural Landmark in 1970. In 1994, it became Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Cross Mountain: A Historic Viewpoint

Cross Mountain overlooking Fredericksburg in 2020

Cross Mountain is a hill that stands 1,916 feet tall. The first mention of it was in 1847. Native Americans used this spot to send signals to each other. Early Spanish missionaries also used the site, leaving a timber cross. This is why it was named "Kreuzberg" (Cross Mountain).

Over the years, new crosses have been placed on the mountain. In 1946, a metal and concrete cross was put up. Cross Mountain is used for the Easter Fires pageant and Easter sunrise services. It was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1976.

Fredericksburg's Climate and Weather

Fredericksburg has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and usually mild winters. Average temperatures are around 82°F in the summer. In winter, the average temperature is about 47°F.

Climate data for Fredericksburg, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–1915, 1939–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32)	96 (36)	101 (38)	104 (40)	102 (39)	108 (42)	109 (43)	109 (43)	109 (43)	102 (39)	92 (33)	88 (31)	109 (43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	59.8 (15.4)	63.8 (17.7)	70.7 (21.5)	78.0 (25.6)	84.0 (28.9)	90.3 (32.4)	93.4 (34.1)	94.2 (34.6)	87.9 (31.1)	79.1 (26.2)	68.2 (20.1)	61.4 (16.3)	77.6 (25.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)	47.0 (8.3)	51.2 (10.7)	58.3 (14.6)	65.6 (18.7)	73.3 (22.9)	79.4 (26.3)	82.1 (27.8)	82.2 (27.9)	76.0 (24.4)	66.7 (19.3)	56.1 (13.4)	48.6 (9.2)	65.5 (18.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	34.2 (1.2)	38.5 (3.6)	45.9 (7.7)	53.2 (11.8)	62.5 (16.9)	68.5 (20.3)	70.7 (21.5)	70.2 (21.2)	64.1 (17.8)	54.2 (12.3)	43.9 (6.6)	35.8 (2.1)	53.5 (11.9)
Record low °F (°C)	−5 (−21)	−3 (−19)	12 (−11)	24 (−4)	37 (3)	48 (9)	55 (13)	54 (12)	35 (2)	24 (−4)	12 (−11)	1 (−17)	−5 (−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.56 (40)	1.84 (47)	2.50 (64)	2.55 (65)	4.26 (108)	2.98 (76)	1.88 (48)	2.42 (61)	3.25 (83)	3.10 (79)	2.18 (55)	2.04 (52)	30.56 (776)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.0	7.2	8.4	6.4	8.1	6.2	4.5	5.2	6.3	6.5	6.8	7.0	79.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Source: NOAA

Architecture and Churches

Fredericksburg has many interesting buildings. These include the Vereins Kirche, the Pioneer Museum Complex, and the Pioneer Memorial Library.

St. Mary's Catholic Church

St. Mary's Catholic Church in July 2017

St. Mary's Catholic Church is one of the notable buildings in Fredericksburg.

Interior of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Texas

Nimitz Hotel and Museum

The Nimitz Hotel is a historic building. It is now part of the National Museum of the Pacific War. This museum tells the story of the war in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Old Railway and Bat Cave

In 1913, a railroad was built to connect Fredericksburg to other towns. A long tunnel, 920 feet long, was part of this railway. Building the tunnel was very expensive, and the railway eventually closed in 1942.

Since the railway shut down, the tunnel has become a home for bats! Over 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats live there. In 2012, the tunnel area became Old Tunnel State Park. Visitors can come to picnic and use the restrooms.

Agritourism: Farms and Fun

The Fredericksburg area is known as the "Peach Capital of Texas." Benjamin Lester Enderle helped start the peach industry here. He planted peach trees in 1921 and began selling the fruit. Growers say the area's soil and climate make the peaches taste extra good. You can buy fresh peaches from May to August, or even pick your own!

Besides peaches, other farms have grown in popularity. These include herb farms, grape vineyards, and lavender farms. You can also find wildflower seeds here. Sometimes, these farms offer spas, wedding venues, or bed-and-breakfast places. There's even a special "Texas Hill Country Lavender Trail" to explore.

Main Street at Fredericksburg, with a Biergarten along the street.

Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg is a big wildflower seed farm. It was started in 1983 because many people wanted Texas wildflower seeds. It's the largest family-owned wildflower seed farm in the United States. They grow 88 different kinds of wildflower seeds. They also host an annual Wildflower Celebration.

Fredericksburg also has a growing number of vineyards. These wineries are part of the Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country AVA and the larger Texas Hill Country AVA. Many tourists start or end their winery tours in Fredericksburg.

Education in Fredericksburg

The city of Fredericksburg has its own school district, called the Fredericksburg Independent School District. Their sports teams are known as the "Battlin' Billies."

Fredericksburg also has a college campus, Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg. There are also private schools like Ambleside School, Heritage School, and St. Mary's Elementary and Junior High School. The city has a public library next to the Gillespie County Courthouse.

Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools

This group is based in Fredericksburg. It's made up of former students and community members. They work to save the history and traditions of the old country schools in Gillespie County.

Healthcare in Fredericksburg

Hill Country Memorial Hospital is located on Highway 16. It's a hospital that provides medical care and wellness services. It is often ranked as one of the top 100 hospitals in the country.

Getting Around Fredericksburg

Major Roads

U.S. Highway 87
U.S. Route 290
Texas State Highway 16
Ranch to Market Road 1631
Farm to Market Road 965

Gillespie County Airport

Gillespie County Airport (T82) is about 2 miles from downtown Fredericksburg. It has a long runway and a hotel and diner. The airport was started by Hans Hannemann and Red Schroeder. Before 1945, the United States Army Air Corps owned it. You can rent hangars for planes there.

Population and People

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	754	—
1870	1,164	—
1880	1,085	−6.8%
1890	1,532	41.2%
1930	2,416	—
1940	3,544	46.7%
1950	3,854	8.7%
1960	4,629	20.1%
1970	5,326	15.1%
1980	6,412	20.4%
1990	6,934	8.1%
2000	8,911	28.5%
2010	10,530	18.2%
2020	10,875	3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

Fredericksburg city limits sign

In 2020, Fredericksburg had 10,875 people living in the city. There were 4,796 households and 2,823 families.

Fredericksburg racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	7,844	72.13%
Black or African American (NH)	48	0.44%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	38	0.35%
Asian (NH)	101	0.93%
Some Other Race (NH)	31	0.29%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	290	2.67%
Hispanic or Latino	2,523	23.2%
Total	10,875

Media: Radio and Newspapers

Radio Station KNAF

The AM radio station KNAF started broadcasting in 1947. Arthur Stehling first received the license. Later, the Norbert Fritz family took over the license.

Local Newspapers

The Fredericksburg Standard newspaper began in 1888. It was first called Gillespie County News. In 1907, its name changed. The Fredericksburg Publishing Company bought it in 1915. This company also published a German newspaper called Fredericksburg Wochenblatt. Another paper, The Radio Post, started in 1922. In 1984, the Fredericksburg Publishing Company bought it too. The two newspapers then joined together to become the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.

Notable People from Fredericksburg

Many interesting people have connections to Fredericksburg, Texas. Here are a few:

Notable people of Fredericksburg, Texas
Name	Birth-death	Notability
Jacob Bickler	(1849–1902)	Educator, founder of two Austin academies, taught summer school in Fredericksburg
Kyle Biedermann	(born 1959)	Texas state legislator
Matthew Gaines	(1840–1900)	Former slave, Baptist minister became a senator in the Texas State Legislature after emancipation
General Michael W. Hagee	(born 1944)	33rd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Max Hirsch	(1880–1969)	National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame thoroughbred horse trainer
Betty Holekamp	(1826–1902)	German colonist and pioneer woman, called the Betsy Ross of Texas
1st Lt. Louis John Jordan	(1890–1918)	All-American football player with Texas Longhorns (1911–1914), first Texan officer killed in World War I, posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1924
Hugo Emil Klaerner	(1908–1982)	Chicago White Sox pitcher
Allen V. Kneese	(1930–2001)	Pioneer of environmental economics
Engelbert Krauskopf	(1820–1881)	Gunsmith, inventor, naturalist
Jacob Kuechler	(1823–1893)	Surveyor, conscientious objector during the Civil War, and commissioner of the Texas General Land Office
Lara Logan	(born 1971)	60 Minutes Correspondent
Hermann Lungkwitz	(1813–1891)	Landscape artist and photographer, noted for first pictorial records of the Texas Hill Country
John O. Meusebach	(1812–1897)	Founding father of Fredericksburg
Henry Miller	(1853–1896)	First Grand President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
William Molter	(1910–1960)	Thoroughbred trainer in National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Charles Henry Nimitz	(1826–1911)	Built the Nimitz Hotel in 1852, grandfather of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, elected to the Texas Legislature in 1890
Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz	(1885–1966)	Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Forces in World War II
Friedrich Richard Petri	(1824–1857)	Painter who depicted relationships between early German settlers and local Native American tribes
Colonel Alfred P. C. Petsch	(1887–1981)	Lawyer, legislator, civic leader, and philanthropist, served in the Texas House of Representatives 1925–1941, veteran of both World War I and World War II
Felix Stehling	(1925–2012)	Co-founder of Taco Cabana
Buffy Tyler	(born 1978)
Frank Van der Stucken	(1858–1929)	Music composer, conductor

Images for kids

Balanced Rock, a famous landmark that was sadly destroyed by vandals in 1986.
View of Enchanted Rock from base camp
Couple strolling down Enchanted rock
Fredericksburg is known for its many downtown shops.
The Vereins-Kirche, built around 1847
Fort Martin Scott, built around 1848
Admiral Nimitz Museum, built around 1852
Pioneer Memorial Library (Gillespie County Courthouse), built around 1882
White Elephant Saloon, built around 1888
Bank of Fredericksburg, built around 1889
Haussegen Platz Log Haus bed and breakfast
St. Marys Catholic Church, built around 1906
Zion Lutheran Church, built around 1854 (the oldest Lutheran Church in the Texas Hill Country)
Bronze statue "Lasting Friendship" in Fredericksburg park commemorating the peace treaty between local settlers and the Comanche.
Marktplatz
Amish Furniture and Market in Fredericksburg
John O. Meusebach who led the German settlers to Fredericksburg