FTC's "Little Women: The Musical" - 2/18-3/6

Join the Fredericksburg Theater Company as they celebrate another season. FTC's production will be "Little Women: The Musical". Based on Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel, this exhilarating musical follows the adventures of the sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. All performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. No performance on Friday, September 17 in honor of Yom Kippur; alternate on Thursday, September 23.

421 West Main – John Schlaudt Home

Start walking East on the South side of Main Street.

Johann (John) Schlaudt, a young blacksmith, built the oldest part of the house on a lot originally granted to Conrad Kohlmeier. He decided this would be a good location for his business and bought the northwest half of the lot from the Crenwelges in 1871. Schlaudt paid $340, $100 of which was in cash, another $100 due before Christmas 1871 without interest, and the balance was to be paid the following Christmas at 8%. Business was good and Schlaudt paid off the debt before it was due.

The price Schlaudt paid for the lotsuggests that the the small log house which stood in front of the rock house that serves as the nucleus of the present house was already standing. They used the log cabin as sleeping quarters while the house was being built. Each floor had two rooms, and the house has a large cellar. Downstairs was a parlor (with an extra bed in it,) and a kitchen, upstairs were two bedrooms where the Schlaudts raised ten children. Mr Schlaudt’s customers would also spend the night, if their work wasn’t completed.

John Sclaudt died in 1901. His widow and the children move out to their ranch in the Eckert community. After the children married, Mrs. Schlaudt and her daughter Anna moved back to town. Mrs. Schlaudt lived here the rest of her life, later joined by another daughter who had married August Itz. It was during this time that several additions and renovations were made, including the wing to the front along the east side, which added two rooms—one up and one down—to the house. Behind this part of the house, they added a kitchen, a small hall, and a bathroom. Above that, was added another bedroom. They covered the rock walls with cement plaster which had been marked off in blocks to resemble the new addition at the front.

Corner West Main and South Edison – Kraus Building

By 1871, Jacob Kraus was running a soda water bottling plant here. Kraus originally sold one “red” soda water, and one “white” soda water. He later bottled Iron Brew, a soda from the East and the Krauses were among the few Texas bottlers of the soda. Coca-Cola arrived in 1910, and for a time all four sodas bottled by the Krauses came in the same type bottle. In 1916, the distinctive Coke bottle was adopted.

The Krauses also made cigars here, in a room in the front room of the second floor of the old building. The top of the line was “La Palma” which sold for ten cents, and they also made “Big Five” and “Kraus Special,” both nickel cigars.

In 1928 “Pearl Near Beer” was added to the Kraus product line. After the 1933 repeal of Prohibition, they became Pearl Beer Distributing Company. Beer was never brewed or bottled here. By 1958, Jacob’s heirs had all bought houses away from the plant, and the home became a business full-time. In the 1980s, Austin Coca-Cola bought the business, and restored the distinctive sign on the side of the building. Today, Austin Coca-Cola uses the buildings at the back and the garages on the left. The main house is a private residence.

506 West Main – Loeffler-Weber House

Continue down San Antonio to Edison Street and turn right, towards Main Street.


Gerhard Rorig built this log cabin as shelter from the first winter in Fredericksburg in 1846. Johann Loeffler, a local cabinet maker, added the rock and half timber rooms and cooking fireplace around 1867. His son-in-law, J. Charles Weber, added the lean-to on the side. The house stayed in the Leoffler-Weber family for 90 years, when George and Gloria Hill bought the house and restored it. The lean-to was converted into a bath by the Hills in the early 60s.

Notice the front door. Our ancestors were not as tall as Americans are today.

Admiral Nimitz's Birthday - 2/24

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 East Main Street, is hosting a day celebrating the anniversary of Admiral Nimitz's birthday. People can attend at no cost with the purchase of Museum ticket. Regular museum hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm. Please call 830/997-4379 for more information.

Enchanted Rock Interpretive Summit Tour - 2/12

Join the Friends of Enchanted Rock for an interpretive Summit Tour with Carl Fabre. Carl is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a member of the National Association for Interpretation. A sixth generation Texan, Carl has been hiking, camping, climbing, photographing, and enjoying Enchanted Rock for almost 40 years. Come and enjoy learning about ERSNA's geological landforms, flora and fauna, archaeology and cultural history! Meet at the Gazebo at 9:00am. Wear comfortable clothes, hiking shoes and hat. Bring water & cameras. Please, no pets on interpretive tours. To reserve a spot, call 685-3038 and leave a message. Tour is weather permitting.

FTC "Little Women" Tickets on Sale now

Tickets are now on sale for the Fredericksburg Theater Company's upcoming production of “Little Women The Musical” beginning Friday, February 18 and running weekends through March 6 at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater at 1668 Hwy 87 S. in Fredericksburg. This exhilarating musical, adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, Little Women, is filled with glorious music, dancing and heart as it follows the adventures of four sisters growing up in Civil War America. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5.50 for ages 17 years and younger.. For information, call 888-669-7114.

36th Annual Hug-In & Valentine's Ball - 2/13

Live music and primitive camping in Luckenbach, Texas. On Saturday, enjoy the Valentine's Ball.

Friday's complimentary entertainment will include picker circles hosted by Jimmy Lee Jones at 1pm and Ben Beckendorf at 4pm. Movie at 8pm. Saturday's entertainment includes 1 pm picker circle hosted by Greg & Lisa. The Valentine Ball with Gary P. Nunn will begin at 9 pm. Advance tickets are available online Please call 830-997-3224 or 888-311-8990 for more information.

Valentine's Dinner at Fredericksburg Herb Farm - 2/14

Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s special and introduction to the newly revamped Fredericksburg Herb Farm at 405 Whitney Street in Fredericksburg. Indulge with a couple’s massage while eating chocolates and sipping champagne in the new 5,000-square-foot Nature’s Spa. Top it off with dinner for two next door at the renovated Rock House Bistro Restaurant. This $330-value experience is being offered for $275 on Valentine’s Day, February 14. For details, call 830-997-8615 for reservations.

The National Museum of the Pacific War at 328 West Main will be host a book-signing by World War II historian, James Hornfischer, on Saturday, February 12. Hornfischer will be available starting at 2 p.m. in the George H.W. Bush Gallery to sign copies of his latest book, Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal.

The book tells the story of the bloody, four-month campaign to secure convoy routes between the United States, New Zealand and Australia. The campaign is believed to have been a turning point that allowed the Allies to take the offensive in the Pacific theater and eventually led to the surrender of Japan.

Hornfischer, a graduate of Colgate University and the University of Texas School of Law, is the author of two other books about World War II naval history: Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of her Survivors, which won the United States Maritime Literature Award in 2007, and The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour, which won the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature in 2004. Hornfischer is a member of the Naval Order of the United States and the Navy League, and was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry as an "Admiral in the Texas Navy." Hornfischer has appeared on the History Channel and Fox News and frequently speaks to veterans' organizations, civic groups and professional naval organizations on the subject of the Pacific theater in World War II. He is the president of Hornfischer Literary management and lives in Austin with his wife and their three children.

Red and White Dinner at Becker Vineyards - 2/12

Catered by My Own Chef Catering of Fredericksburg, Texas. Cost is $85 per person, plus tax. Reservations required. Call 830-644-2681 Ext 201.

Each course paired with Becker Vineyards’ wines.
1st Course: Petite Vichyssoise served alongside Smoked Salmon Flatbread with Micro Greens
Salad Course: Spinach Salad Martini with julienne of Prosciutto & Chick Pea Fritter drizzled with Balsamic Reduction
Entrée: Pappardelle with Venison Ragu & Marinated Zucchini
Dessert Trio: Tiramisu, Rum Baba and Lemon frangipan

Valentine's Day Dining

Treat your sweetie to a special meal Monday, February 14, a.k.a., Valentine’s Day, at any of the restaurants in the Fredericksburg area that are open for service – even at those that might normally be closed on Mondays. According to the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau can determine, the following restaurants that are normally closed on Mondays will be open for business next Monday:

• August E’s – open at 5:00 p.m.
• Austin’s at Rose Hill Manor – one-time seating at 7:00 p..m. for 5-course meal, reservations needed
• Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant – 5:00-9:00 p.m.
• Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse – 5:00-9:00 p.m., two seatings
• Rock House Bistro Restaurant at Fredericksburg Herb Farm – 6:00-9:00 p.m., reservations good idea
• Hill Top Café – 5:00-9:00 p.m., call for reservations; will have music
• Kelly’s Café – 5:00-9:00 p.m.
• Max & Zelda’s Oasis Café – 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• Sammy’s Mexican Restaurant – 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
• Sunset Grill – 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• Troisi’s Italian Ristorante at Trois Estate – 6:00-8:00 p.m., 5-course meal, reservations needed
• Wheeler’s Restaurant – 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Old Time German Smokehouse Secrets - 2/5

Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site on Hwy 290 E. (16 miles east of Fredericksburg), will host its annual Old Time German Smokehouse Secrets demonstration this Saturday, February 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. See interpreters demonstrate how this area’s German settlers cured bacon and stuffed sausage as you observe local meat processing methods of the early 1900s. This event is free to the public. For information, call 830-644-2252.

Heart Shaped Cherry Pie for Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine’s Day – heart-shaped cherry pies (topped with Michigan cherries and with a layer each of chocolate and vanilla) from the Fredericksburg Pie Company will be available during the month of February. Special order this scrumptious treat! The size of this pie is about half the size of a normal pie – for around $15, or, stop by the shop at 108 E. Austin St. as extras will be available for purchase for a few lucky walk-ins. To place your order, call 830-990-6992.

"For the Love of Art"- 2/4-3/28

See the works of 30 Hill Country artists during the Fredericksburg Art Guild’s For the Love of Art show featuring exhibits in fine art, jewelry, sculpture, photography, stained glass and more – running Saturday, February 4 through March 28 at the gallery at 308 E. Austin St., in Fredericksburg. An opening reception will be held at the gallery this Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. – so stop by! For information, call 830-997-4949.

Fredericksburg Art & More - 2/4

Fredericksburg Art & More will have their Grand Opening this Friday, February 4 at 251 E. Main St. The reception will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Fredericksburg First Friday Art Walk. For information, call 830-992-3188.