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Fredericksburg TX is that special place in the Texas Hill Country that traces its roots to Germany and today still feels like you are stepping into a little bit of Germany here in Texas. With a population on the last census about 8,911 and with over 14,000 in the county you know why they love the peace they come here to seek. It is located at a triangular junction 80 miles northwest of San Antonio and 80 miles west of Austin with a only a 1.5 hour trip to either international airport.
The
topography of the Texas Hill Country varies from ridges of about 1900 ft to
rolling hills to flat countryside. The vegetation ranges from native
live oaks, shin oaks, Spanish oaks, to cedars, to numerous grasses. The
springtime native wild flowers are in abundance here lasting from late March
through June, which is a time when truly the world glows here.
The community began as a ranching community and until recent years existed
as basically agrarian with relatively no other means of making a living.
Cows, goats, sheep, and pecans were the basic four income sources around
Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. Even today the age of ones pickup truck
proclaims the length of time you've been here! However, today sources
of income have grown to include a variety of new technology in a place
surrounded by vineyards, several earning national awards in excellence.
Tourism is one of the largest employers with the community receiving over
1,000,000 tourists annually. Romantic bed and breakfasts, quaint
guesthouses, and many specialty shops abound.
Healthcare: Healthcare
is also a premier employer here with Hill
Country Memorial Hospital boasting a new addition which brings
the total bed capacity to 77 with a staff of over 50 consulting doctors
featuring over 27 specialties. The Wellness (fitness) Center
features a 10,000-square foot aquatic pool and fitness floor with specialized
classes in yoga, tai chi, weight training etc, and the finest in local
preventative and maintenance healthcare. For further information call
830-997- 4353.
Schools:
Fredericksburg
Independent School District consists of 3 schools with an
enrollment of over 1822 children. Fredericksburg Elementary,
with 1502 students and 5 grades; Middle School 681 students
and the High School with over 851 students. There is one
parochial Catholic school; St. Mary's School. There
are four private schools consisting of Ambleside School, The
Charlotte Mason School, and Fredericksburg Christian School.
Presently the University of Texas has a small evening class extension here during the school year. But good news for the area is that Texas Tech University has opened a branch here with plans to build a campus site on the northeast side of Fredericksburg.
