Fredericksburg Memorial Library

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Pioneer Memorial Library
Fredericksburg memorial library 2008.jpg
Fredericksburg Memorial Library
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Fredericksburg Memorial Library
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Fredericksburg Memorial Library
LocationCourthouse Sq.,
Fredericksburg, Texas
Coordinates 30°16′31″N98°52′24″W / 30.27528°N 98.87333°W / 30.27528; -98.87333 Coordinates: 30°16′31″N98°52′24″W / 30.27528°N 98.87333°W / 30.27528; -98.87333
Area1.5 acres (0.61 ha)
Built1881 (1881)
Architect Alfred Giles
Architectural style Romanesque Revival
NRHP reference No. 71000935 [1]
TSAL No. 8200000282
RTHL No. 28
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 11, 1971
Designated TSALMay 28, 1981
Designated RTHL1967

The Pioneer Memorial Library is located at 115 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Designed by Alfred Giles, it was built in 1882 to replace the original 1855 courthouse, and was later superseded by the current 1939 courthouse designed by Edward Stein. [2] The first floor houses the Children's Section, while the second floor houses the Adult Section, Texas Room, and newspapers and magazines. [3] It is also called the McDermott Building because of the 1967 and 1984 restorations funded by Mr. & Mrs. Eugene McDermott. [4] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967. [5] [6]

Contents

Construction

The native limestone structure was designed in 1882 by architect Alfred Giles in the Romanesque Revival style. Giles also designed the Brooks County Courthouse, Live Oak County Courthouse, Presidio County Courthouse, Webb County Courthouse and Wilson County Courthouse, as well as courthouses in the counties of Goliad and Kerr. [7] [8] In 1909, Giles designed the facade of the Kendall County Courthouse. [9] He also designed the 1885 Llano County courthouse, which burned down in 1892. [10] On November 28, 1881. Giles was commissioned for $1,000 by the Gillespie County Commissioners. Built of local limestone, the Dietz Quarries supplied the limestone for the main structure, while John Dechert Quarries of Luckenbach supplied the limestone for the trim. [5] Building contractors John Heinen & James A. Courtney erected the structure at a cost of $23,000. [11]

Restoration

When a new courthouse was built in 1939, the old building served a variety of uses, until its state of disrepair forced it to be condemned in 1963. The building was restored in 1967 as a home for the library, a gift from Texas Instruments founder and Dallas philanthropists Mr. & Mrs. Eugene McDermott. [12] Eugene McDermott died in 1973. [12] A second renovation of the library occurred in 1984 with matching funds from Mrs. McDermott and the community. [5] [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

Architecture of Fredericksburg, Texas

The architectural structures of Fredericksburg, Texas are often unique to the Texas Hill Country, and are historical edifices of the German immigrants who settled the area in the 19th Century. Many of the structures have historic designations on a state or national level. The Gillespie County Historical Society is actively involved in assisting with preservation.

Gonzales County Courthouse United States historic place

The Gonzales County Courthouse is located in Gonzales, capital of the county of the same name in the U.S. state of Texas. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1966 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Morris Ranch, Texas Ghost town in Texas, United States

Morris Ranch is a ghost town, located 8.5 miles (13.7 km) southwest of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The area was begun as a thoroughbred horse ranch by New Yorker Francis Morris in 1856, and the town grew up around it. In 1962, the school district was merged with Fredericksburg Independent School District, and the Morris Ranch school ceased operations. The Morris Ranch school was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1980, Marker number 10086. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Texas, on March 29, 1983, NRHP Reference #:83003142.

Lower South Grape Creek School (Gillespie County, Texas) United States historic place

Lower South Grape Creek School is located at 10273 E U.S. Highway 290 in Gillespie County, Texas. In 1960, the school was consolidated with Fredericksburg Independent School District. The building is now used as a community center. The school was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1994, Marker number 10073. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas on May 6, 2005.

Luckenbach School (Gillespie County, Texas) United States historic place

Luckenbach School is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places Listing. It is located at 3566 Luckenbach Rd. in Gillespie County, Texas. In 1964, the school was consolidated with Fredericksburg Independent School District. The building is now used as a community center.

Llano County Courthouse and Jail United States historic place

The Llano County Courthouse and Jail were erected separately, but added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas on December 2, 1977 as one entry. The courthouse, located in the middle of Llano's historic square, was built in 1893. The exterior is made of sandstone, marble, and granite. The interior of the courthouse was damaged by fire in 1932 and again in 1951. It is still in use today by local government. The jail was erected in 1895, with the prisoner cells on the second and third floors, and the ground level solely for the office and living accommodations for the sheriff and his family. The jail was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1979, Marker 9448. The courthouse was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1980, Marker number 9446.

Wilson County Courthouse and Jail United States historic place

The Wilson County Courthouse and Jail are located in Floresville, Texas. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in Texas in 1978 and the courthouse as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1984.

Kendall County Courthouse and Jail (Texas) United States historic place

The limestone Kendall County Courthouse and Jail are located in the San Antonio suburb of Boerne in the U.S. state of Texas. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the courthouse as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1970.

Presidio County Courthouse United States historic place

The Presidio County Courthouse is located in Marfa, Presidio County in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964.

Brooks County Courthouse (Texas) United States historic place

Brooks County Courthouse is located in Falfurrias, in the U.S. state of Texas. The structure was designed by Alfred Giles in 1914 in the Classic revival style. Prior to the erection of the brick county courthouse, local government housed itself in rented space. The courthouse was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977. Renovation began on the courthouse in 2006.

Webb County Courthouse (Texas) United States historic place

The Webb County Courthouse is located in Laredo in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion Historic mansion in Kerrville, Texas, USA

The Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion is located in Kerrville in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Kerr County, Texas in 1975. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962. The mansion is currently the home of the Hill Country Museum. In 1984, Mrs. E. C. Parker was awarded a Jefferson Davis Certificate of Meritorious Service for Preservation and Restoration, in honor of her work in converting the mansion into a museum.

Alfred Giles (architect) American architect

Alfred Giles was a British architect who emigrated to the United States in 1873 at the age of 20. Many of the private homes and public buildings designed by Giles are on the National Register of Historic Places and have been designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. Based in San Antonio, his buildings can be found predominantly in south Texas and northern Mexico. Giles is credited with "a profound influence on architecture in San Antonio."

Carl Wilhelm August Groos House (San Antonio) Historic house in Texas, United States

The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977. Designed by Alfred Giles in 1880, the building contractor was John H. Kampmann. Giles used a Victorian Gothic Revival on this limestone home. Groos had immigrated from Germany to Texas in 1848, at which time he and his brothers started a freighting firm. In 1871, he built the Carl W. A. Groos House in New Braunfels. In 1872, he and his family settled in San Antonio. Groos married Hulda Amalie Moureau and became a founding member of the Groos National Bank. In 1880, Groos hired Giles to build his San Antonio home. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas as a contributing structure of the King William Historic District. Groos died in 1893. In 1957, the house was purchased by the San Antonio Council of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The Girl Scouts sold the home to Charles Butt. It has been restored and is in private ownership.

Morris Ranch Schoolhouse United States historic place

The Morris Ranch Schoolhouse is a ranch school located on Morris Ranch Road 2093, 8.5 miles (13.7 km) southwest of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981. Designed by Alfred Giles, who also designed the 1882 Fredericksburg Memorial Library, the schoolhouse was built in 1893. Winning thoroughbred trainer Max Hirsch began his career on Morris Ranch and attended classes in the schoolhouse.

Comal County Courthouse United States historic place

The Comal County Courthouse is located in New Braunfels in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Comal County, Texas in 1976 and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1993.

McCulloch County Courthouse United States historic place

The McCulloch County Courthouse is located in Brady, McCulloch County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in McCulloch County, Texas in 1977, and became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967.

Badu Building United States historic place

The Badu Building is located in the City of Llano, Llano County, Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Llano County, Texas in 1980, and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981. It has also been known as the Badu House and as the Carol Phelan Building. It is now being operated as a restaurant and private event space under the name Badu 1891.

Guenther House (San Antonio) Historic house in Texas, United States

The Guenther House is a restaurant, museum and store located at 205 E. Guenther Street in the King William neighborhood of the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Currently operated by C. H. Guenther and Son. Inc., the home was originally built as a private residence in 1859 by Pioneer Flour Mills founder Carl Hilmar Guenther. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas on October 11, 1990.

Crabapple School (Gillespie County, Texas) United States historic place

Crabapple School is located at 14671 Lower Crabapple Road in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It was consolidated with Fredericksburg Independent School District in 1957. The building is now used as a community center. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Gillespie County, Texas on May 6, 2005.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "TE-Gillespie County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  3. Zelade, Richard (2011). Lone Star Guide to the Texas Hill Country. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 25. ISBN   978-1-58979-609-6.
  4. "Fredericksburg Der Paradise". Texas Monthly: 125. May 1980.
  5. 1 2 3 "THC-NRHP Old Courthouse". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Old Gillespie County Courthouse". Groundspeak, Inc. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  7. George, Mary Carolyn Hollors. "Giles, Alfred". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  8. "Courthouses designed by Alfred Giles". Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  9. Zelade, Richard (2011). Lone Star Guide to the Texas Hill Country. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 65. ISBN   978-1-58979-609-6.
  10. "THC-1885 Llano County Courthouse". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  11. "THC-Contractors, Gillespie Courthouse". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  12. 1 2 Perez, Joan Jenkins. "McDermott, Eugene". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 13 August 2011.

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