Fredericksburg, Texas
From Free net encyclopedia
Fredericksburg is a city located in Gillespie County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,911. It is the county seat of Gillespie CountyTemplate:GR. The community of Luckenbach, immortalized in country music, is near Fredericksburg. Image:TXMap-doton-Fredericksburg.PNG
Contents |
History
Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, new Commissioner General of the "Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas", also known as the "Noblemen's Society" (in German: Mainzer Adelsverein), and named in honor of Prince Frederick of Prussia, nephew of Prussia's King Frederick William III, and highest ranking member of the Mainzer Adelsverein. Baron von Meusebach renounced his noble title and became known in Texas as John O. Meusebach. Settled largely by liberal, educated Germans fleeing the Revolution of 1848, Gillespie County voted against secession prior to the American Civil War. Fredericksburg was the birthplace of Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Forces in World War II. The hotel owned by Nimitz's German grandfather has been converted into a museum honoring the men and women who served with Nimitz in the war.
The town is notable as the home of Texas German, a German dialect spoken by the first generations of settlers who initially refused to learn English. They concluded with the Indians of that region the first and the only treaty in the USA, which has never been broken. They refused to have slaves and have been therefore persecuted and killed by their angloamerican neigbors untill 1865.
Geography
Fredericksburg is located at 30°16'27" North, 98°52'19" West (30.274058, -98.871822)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.2 km² (6.6 mi²). 17.2 km² (6.6 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Northern Gillespie County is home to one of the state's best-known geographical landmarks, Enchanted Rock. The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 8,911 people, 3,784 households, and 2,433 families residing in the city. The population density was 518.2/km² (1,342.1/mi²). There were 4,183 housing units at an average density of 243.2/km² (630.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.08% White, 0.27% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.09% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. 17.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There is a minority of Texas Germans.
There were 3,784 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 30.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,276, and the median income for a family was $43,670. Males had a median income of $25,878 versus $22,171 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,788. 11.9% of the population and 7.5% of families were below the poverty line. 16.1% of those under the age of 18 and 11.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Lodging
Frederickburg and the surrounding area are home to over 300 accomodations that are better known as bed and breakfasts.
Newspaper
The local newspaper is called the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post, which has an Internet edition. Once two separate newspapers, the Fredericksburg Standard and Fredericksburg Radio Post, the Radio Post was bought by the Standard in October 1984 when the publication went out of business due to local advertisers pulling out.