Wrede School (Gillespie County, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wrede School
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Wrede School
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 Wrede School
Location in Texas
Wrede School
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Fredericksburg, Texas |
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| Area | 3.4 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1896 |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000519 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 2005 |
The Wrede School is a historic building located at 3929 S. State Highway 16 in Fredericksburg, Texas, within Gillespie County, Texas. It was first built in 1896. The school district joined the Fredericksburg Independent School District in 1960. Today, the old schoolhouse is used as a community center for local events. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 1, 2005, recognizing its importance in history.
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The Wrede Family and Local History
The land where the Wrede School stands was once owned by Friedrich Wilhelm von Wrede Jr. He was born in Germany in 1820. Friedrich Jr. first came to Texas as a teenager with his family in 1836.
Friedrich Wrede Jr.'s Role in Texas
He returned to Germany alone in 1843. However, he came back to Texas in 1844. He worked as a secretary for the Adelsverein, a group that helped Germans move to Texas. He helped settle New Braunfels. Friedrich Jr. was also part of the group that went with John O. Meusebach to make the 1847 Meusebach–Comanche Treaty. This treaty was an important agreement with the Comanche people.
Wrede stayed in Fredericksburg to start his own business. From 1850 to 1851, he worked as the County Clerk for Gillespie County. He married Sophie Bonzano, and their first four children were born in Fredericksburg. During the American Civil War, Wrede served in a local military group called the Gillespie Rifles. In 1865, the Wrede family moved back to Germany.
Friedrich Wrede Sr. and His Influence
Friedrich Wilhelm von Wrede Sr. (1786–1845) was Friedrich Jr.'s father. He wrote a book called Lebensbilder aus den vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika und Texas. This means "Sketches of life in the United States of North America and Texas." The book was first published in 1844. It was later printed in English in 1970. This book helped convince many Germans to move to Texas. He also managed a large farm called Nassau Plantation. Sadly, he and a botanist named Oscar von Claren were killed in 1845 while camping near Austin.
History of the Wrede Schoolhouse
The first Wrede schoolhouse was built in 1896. The lumber used to build it was brought all the way from Comfort. The school got its water from a well that was dug by hand.
Early Days and Growth
The first school year began on October 15, 1896, with forty-six students. In 1949, two other local schools, the Pedernales school and Bear Creek school, joined with Wrede. The school had its highest number of students in the 1950s. At that time, two teachers taught fifty-three students.
Teacher salaries changed a lot over the years. In 1896, a teacher earned $28 a month. By 1959, the salary was up to $288 a month. Over its sixty-four years, twenty-four different teachers worked at the school. Even though many families in the community spoke German at home, students were not allowed to speak German on the school grounds.
School Consolidation and Current Use
The Wrede School joined the Fredericksburg Independent School District in 1960. This meant it became part of a larger school system. Today, the old school building is used as a community center. It also serves as a polling place during elections, where people go to vote. The Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools is a group that helps preserve old school buildings like Wrede.
The Wrede School was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 1, 2005. This listing helps protect the building and recognizes its important history.
