Fredericksburg Memorial Library
a.k.a. McDermatt Building
Courthouse Sq., Fredericksburg, TXThe first Gillespie County Courthouse, completed in 1855, was a two-story limestone building with a gallery in front, two rooms downstairs, and a courtroom upstairs.
In 1881, the county commissioners decided that a new court-house was necessary. A competition was held with a fifty-dollar prize for the best plan for a two-story courthouse. Requirements of the courthouse as listed by the commissioners were: six rooms and two vaults downstairs and a large courtroom and two offices upstairs. Provisions for heating and ventilation were requested. Two architects submitted plans but County Judge William Wahrmund and the Gillespie County Commissioners chose those of Alfred Giles of San Antonio and commissioned him on November 28, 1881.
Mr. Giles received a fee of one thousand dollars. The construction contract went to John Heinen and James Courtney for twenty-three thousand dollars. To finance the new building, seventeen thousand acres of school land in West Texas were sold.
Mr. Giles requested that the best materials be used throughout the building. Limestone for the foundation and walls came from Dietz Quarries two and a half miles northwest of town. John Dechert Quarries near Luckenbach supplied the white limestone for the trim. Heavy double doors with raised panels set in molding were made for the four entrances and the upstairs courtroom. Copper was used for distinctive locks and doorknobs, the latter showing an interesting hummingbird design. The handsome building completed in 1882 set in a city square with grass and trees, displays excellence in design and craftsmanship.
In 1939 the present courthouse was constructed and the old courthouse was, for twenty-seven years, used as offices and storage for numerous organizations. In 1967 the structure was restored and now houses the Pioneer Memorial Library with a community meeting hall on the upper floor. The old Gillespie County Courthouse was restored through the generosity of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene McDermott,
architect.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967
Local significance of the building:
In 1881, the county commissioners decided that a new court-house was necessary. A competition was held with a fifty-dollar prize for the best plan for a two-story courthouse. Requirements of the courthouse as listed by the commissioners were: six rooms and two vaults downstairs and a large courtroom and two offices upstairs. Provisions for heating and ventilation were requested. Two architects submitted plans but County Judge William Wahrmund and the Gillespie County Commissioners chose those of Alfred Giles of San Antonio and commissioned him on November 28, 1881.
Mr. Giles received a fee of one thousand dollars. The construction contract went to John Heinen and James Courtney for twenty-three thousand dollars. To finance the new building, seventeen thousand acres of school land in West Texas were sold.
Mr. Giles requested that the best materials be used throughout the building. Limestone for the foundation and walls came from Dietz Quarries two and a half miles northwest of town. John Dechert Quarries near Luckenbach supplied the white limestone for the trim. Heavy double doors with raised panels set in molding were made for the four entrances and the upstairs courtroom. Copper was used for distinctive locks and doorknobs, the latter showing an interesting hummingbird design. The handsome building completed in 1882 set in a city square with grass and trees, displays excellence in design and craftsmanship.
In 1939 the present courthouse was constructed and the old courthouse was, for twenty-seven years, used as offices and storage for numerous organizations. In 1967 the structure was restored and now houses the Pioneer Memorial Library with a community meeting hall on the upper floor. The old Gillespie County Courthouse was restored through the generosity of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene McDermott,
architect.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The flower blooms in the spring and is a common sight along the highways and in fields throughout the state.
About Gillespie County
Gillespie County Timeline
Gillespie County, TX has a rich and diverse history that dates back to its founding in 1848. It was named after Robert Addison Gillespie, a soldier who fought in the Mexican-American War. The county was originally part of the Fisher-Miller Land Grant, but settlers began arriving in the area in the early 1840s.
The pioneer settlers of Gillespie County were mostly of German descent, seeking a new life and economic opportunities. They developed a thriving agricultural community, growing crops like cotton, corn, and wheat. The early settlers also established successful farms and ranches, making Gillespie County one of the leading agricultural regions in Texas.
During the Civil War, Gillespie County experienced some conflict and tensions due to the differing loyalties of its residents. However, after the war, the county experienced a period of growth and prosperity as the railroad reached Fredericksburg, the county seat, in 1913. This opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce, leading to economic development and population growth.
In recent years, Gillespie County has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its rich history, charming small towns, and beautiful natural surroundings. Today, the county is known for its wineries, historic sites, and festivals that celebrate its German heritage. It continues to thrive as a center of agriculture, tourism, and cultural preservation in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
The pioneer settlers of Gillespie County were mostly of German descent, seeking a new life and economic opportunities. They developed a thriving agricultural community, growing crops like cotton, corn, and wheat. The early settlers also established successful farms and ranches, making Gillespie County one of the leading agricultural regions in Texas.
During the Civil War, Gillespie County experienced some conflict and tensions due to the differing loyalties of its residents. However, after the war, the county experienced a period of growth and prosperity as the railroad reached Fredericksburg, the county seat, in 1913. This opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce, leading to economic development and population growth.
In recent years, Gillespie County has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its rich history, charming small towns, and beautiful natural surroundings. Today, the county is known for its wineries, historic sites, and festivals that celebrate its German heritage. It continues to thrive as a center of agriculture, tourism, and cultural preservation in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
Gillespie County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Gillespie County, Texas.
- 1848 - Gillespie County is established and named after Robert Addison Gillespie
- 1849 - The county seat is established in Fredericksburg
- 1850s - German immigrants begin settling in the area, shaping the county's culture and economy
- 1861-1865 - Gillespie County residents participate in the American Civil War
- 1880s - The county experiences growth with the arrival of the railroad and expansion of agriculture
- 1900s - Gillespie County faces challenges such as the 1900 storm and the Great Depression
- 1940s - Fort Mason is established as a training center during World War II
- 1970s - Tourism becomes an important industry, boosting the county's economy
- 1990s - Fredericksburg becomes a popular tourist destination with its historic downtown and wineries