Cats and Trails and Garden Tales

Mention Fredericksburg and everyone will assume you mean the one in Virginia, site of a major Civil War Battlefield. But did you know there’s a Fredericksburg in the middle of Texas with just as much history?

I discovered it when planning the itinerary for our recent trip. I knew it would be a hit with my husband who’s a World War 2 buff and would enjoy the first-class museum there. And I knew I’d like visiting one of the most charming towns in Texas with its German history, town square, shops and eateries.

We were both happy.

“Fredericksburg was founded on May 8, 1846, by German immigrants under the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. John O. Meusebach chose the location for the second of the Society’s colonies four miles north of the Pedernales River between two creeks.”

The City of Fredericksburg Texas

We walked through the old buildings at the Pioneer Museum and learned about German immigration to Texas. We met a visiting German couple who told us their town has its own museum focused on the emigration side of the story. Small world, indeed.

We visited the Markt Platz (market square) in the center of town,

and its most iconic structure, the Vereins Kirche (“society church”) which was the hub of community activities including church and school.

And we came across a memorial to the only Peace Treaty made with Native Americans thought to never be broken.

“On March 1, 1847, Meusebach met with several tribes of Comanche Indians unarmed to negotiate a treaty between the Tribes and the town of Fredericksburg. Meusebach asked that the townsfolk be allowed to farm the land along the Llano in return for the Comanche being allowed in town at any time. He furthered the offer by promising that in times of hunger, the town would provide the Tribes with grain in return for game, honey, and bear fat.”

The City of Fredericksburg, TX

Later that night we visited the Market Square and found it all lit up for Christmas Nights of Lights.

It was gorgeous.

But by now you may be wondering – where’s the promised World War 2 museum and what’s it doing in the middle of Texas?

I’m glad you asked!

It turns out that Fredericksburg was the hometown of Admiral Chester Nimitz, Chief Commander of the Pacific Fleet during WW2.

“After brilliantly leading American forces to victory in World War II, Fleet Admiral Nimitz, the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, hauled down his flag at Pearl Harbor and relieved Fleet Admiral King as Chief of Naval Operations. Accorded a hero’s welcome at home, the quiet, self-effacing officer described himself as merely “a representative of the brave men who fought” under his command.

Naval History and Heritage Command

An outstanding leader, Nimitz would only agree to a museum in his hometown, if it honored all those who fought in the Pacific War. As I went through the Nimitz Gallery, I was impressed with the man and longed for the kind of noble, selfless leadership he represented.

The National Museum of the Pacific War contains thousands of artifacts and stories from the many battles of the Pacific.

It also has the only surviving submarine used by the Japanese in their attack on Pearl Harbor.

There are many outdoor exhibits including a memorial to the presidents who served during WW2,

and a theatre in the Pacific Combat Zone, where examples of the terrain, trenches and fortified cave positions the Japanese created to battle U.S. forces on those islands are replicated. Living history reenactments occur throughout the year though not while we were there.

My husband spent most of his time inside the museum but there was too much information for me; I preferred wandering the grounds. One of my favorite places was the Japanese Peace Garden, for its simple beauty and what it represents, ‘a gift from the people of Japan, in honor of all that Fleet Admiral Nimitz did to improve U.S./Japanese relations after the war.’

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Fredericksburg.

I’ll leave you with that elusive hope of peace.

~ Susanne