Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, with a population of a little over 10,000, is considered by many to be the epicenter of the Texas hill country.  Founded in 1846 and named in honor of Prince Frederick of Prussia, the town maintains its German roots, as shown is this collection of signs.

If you like German beers, this is the Texas town for you!  And if beer isn't your beverage of choice, there are A LOT of wineries located within 5-10 miles.  They all have nice areas where you can enjoy a glass (or a bottle) of the local vintage.  Janice and I did a tasting and the wines are very good.  In fact, this area is consistently rated as number 2 or 3 in U.S. wine production.

Fredericksburg is also known as the home of WWII Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz.  The Nimitz family was one of the original settlers of Fredericksburg, so I guess that means they just had cable TV?  The family ran the hotel in Fredericksburg, which has been preserved and is now the home of the Chester Nimitz museum.

Life-size statue of Chester Nimitz next to the Nimitz museum

The hotel owned by the Nimitz family now houses the Chester Nimitz museum

Adjoining the Nimitz museum is the National Museum of the Pacific War.  Started in 1971, the museum's foundation has developed the museum into a first-class facility.  It is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to telling the story of the Pacific and Asiatic theaters in WWII.  It is a fantastic facility!  Great displays and information from the start of the war and its causes to the dropping the atomic bomb and subsequent armistice.  Between the Nimitz hotel and the War in the Pacific Museum, you walk through a very moving memorial courtyard.  In the garden are located walls bearing hundreds, if not thousands, of plaques honoring individuals, vessels and crews that served in the Pacific.

One of the Memorial Walls

 All in all, Fredericksburg is a fantastic destination, and allow at least one  full day to go through the museum.  You can click these links to learn more about the museum or  Fredericksburg