Williams Creek School (Gillespie County Country Schools)
School children, in uniform, in front of the Vereins Kirche, Fredericksburg, 1896 (UTSA Special Collections Library)
Rheingold School, date unkown, (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Wrede School, ca. 1910. (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Why walk to school when you have a mule? (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Bicycles were the way to get to school in the 1940s. (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Patriotism was a basic value of German immigrant communities. (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Lower South Grape Creek School baseball team, ca. 1930s (Gillespie County Country Schools)
Restoration work continues at several Gillespie County country schools.
A look inside Cherry Mountain School today.
Reunion at Williams Creek School
Fredericksburg’s first school was held inside Vereins Kirche – the society church built on Market Square in 1847 – less than a year after the first settlers arrived. By the early 20th century, as many as 44 rural schools dotted the countryside around Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. These school buildings often doubled as community centers, serving as a venue for dances and important community meetings. They still do. Locals can rent several of the school buildings for weddings and other private events.
On the 120-mile Gillespie County Country Schools Trail, visitors can drive between 16 of the remaining schools to learn about education and customs of 19th century German Hill Country, explore the different architectural styles, and experience the beautiful landscape of the area between. Spend anywhere from two hours to half a day immersing yourself in German-Texan education and cultural heritage. Pick up a driving tour map at the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center.
Gillespie County Country Schools
- Visitor Center: 302 E. Austin St., Fredericksburg, TX
- 830-685-3321
- Visit Website
- National Register of Historic Places
