Fredericksburg was founded May 8, 1846. Immigrant families, from what is now known as Germany, were given a town lot measuring 100' x 200' and a 10 acre outlot. Most families first build a log home or half-timbered fachwerk and later more substantial stone homes. Many of these homes are still standing. Subsequent generations also left their mark on the built environment as they built their businesses along Main Street (formerly known as San Saba). It is the duty of the Historic Preservation Officer and the Historic Review Board to protect historic properties within the local historic district and individual landmarks.
Historic Preservation Grant Available
The City of Fredericksburg understands that some homeowners may need assistance in covering the expenses related to the maintenance of historic properties. Homeowners with structures in need of exterior maintenance are eligible to apply for funding assistance. Here is the application for the Historic Preservation Grant administered by the City of Fredericksburg. The funds are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are designed for owners in need of financial assistance. Funds are offered as a reimbursement. If you would like to apply for the grant, please contact Anna Hudson, Historic Preservation Officer, at City Hall, 126 West Main Street, 830-990-2026 to discuss the scope of work and assistance needed.
Historic Resource Survey
The City of Fredericksburg has contracted Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. (CMEC) of Austin, Texas, to complete a historic resources survey of areas outside of the existing historic district that have not been documented before. Survey teams from CMEC were in Fredericksburg to conduct the survey during the first week of May. The CMEC historians photo-documented properties from the public right-of-way and recorded details about architectural style and alterations. They will provide a new database for staff use. Each property in the survey has been given a rating of High, Medium, or Low depending on the age and integrity of the structures.
The Historic Review Board will use the report to determine if the existing historic district should be expanded at their April 9th meeting. The Survey Report is now available.
Inventory Sheets for all properties surveyed are available here. (Appendix C) (large file, recommend opening on a computer)
Map of Inventoried Properties and Proposed District Expansion as recommended by CMEC.
List of all inventoried properties with ratings. (Appendix B)
Report Maps (Appendix A)
A public meeting was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the Hill Country University Center to give property owners more information about the survey results. The meeting included a presentation by City staff and CMEC followed by time for questions and answers. Property owners were able to see what architectural rating is being proposed for each property and are welcome to give feedback. If you were unable to attend the meeting and want more information about the survey, please refer to the Inventory Sheets to see the proposed rating and if the property is in the proposed historic district expansion area.
Want to learn more about the survey?
The presentation given by the Historic Preservation Officer can be viewed here.
The presentation given by Cox | McLain about their research and survey work can be viewed here.
Map of Historic District 2005-2019
List of Individual Landmarks Outside of Historic District.
In 2017, City Council hired the first Historic Preservation Officer to oversee changes to historic properties. Properties located within the historic district and individual landmarks must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness for all exterior changes.
Certificate of Appropriateness Application.
To pay for Certificate of Appropriateness online please visit the Payment Portal.
Alterations to historic properties should be done in such a way so as to retain original material and features. The purpose of the adopted Fredericksburg Historic Guidelines is to provide information on rehabilitation and restoration to property owners BEFORE any decisions or work is done. The guidelines are based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. When making a recommendation to the HRB, staff refers to both the local design guidelines and national standards.
Link to Design Guidelines
2003 Survey with Ratings
The Fredericksburg Historic Resources Survey Update is primarily a documentation and
evaluation of all resources, regardless of age and architectural integrity, within the
boundaries of the Fredericksburg Historic District. Each primary resource, with the exception of empty lots,
was evaluated and assigned a rating based on its current architectural integrity and, if known, historical and cultural
value. These evaluations reflect an assessment of each property's relative significance
within a local context. These assessments should not be considered static, but can and
should be changed to reflect the evolving status of properties. Since the scope of work did
not include any site-specific historical research, the priority assessments may be upgraded
if future research reveals significant historical or cultural associations. A property's rating
may also change if future rehabilitation efforts or alterations affect its historic
architectural integrity.
Historic Preservation Ordinance - Updated 2017
The Historic Preservation Ordinance and Design Guidelines are an effort by the City to maintain economic vitality, to protect property values, and to preserve the integrity and character of the historic properties in a manner of quality indicative of Fredericksburg.
Historic Review Board