Maier-Alberthal Building
Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Constructed about 1860, this building was acquired by German native Anton Maier (b. 1813) in 1866. A merchant who held several Gillespie County offices, Maier deeded the property to his son-in-law, August Alberthal. In 1900, the German vernacular stone commercial building has served as a grocery and general mercantile store, a soda water factory, an auto repair shop, and at one time was the site of worship services for a mission congregation. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built around 1860, this sturdy German vernacular stone building was acquired in 1866 by Anton Maier, a native German who became a Fredericksburg merchant and held several Gillespie County offices. He passed it to his son-in-law August Alberthal, and over the decades the building served as a grocery, a soda water factory, an auto repair shop, and even a mission congregation's place of worship. Its thick stone walls reflect the building traditions the town's German settlers brought with them.
Why it matters
The building is a tangible record of the German immigrant community that gave the Texas Hill Country its distinctive stone-built commercial towns.
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Related people
- ยท Anton Maier
- ยท August Alberthal
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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