HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

The Meinhardt-Pfeil Home

Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas

Marker Inscription

The original section of this two-story limestone residence was constructed about 1850 by pioneer area settlers Albert and Doris Meinhardt. A widow in 1879, Doris sold the property to her former son-in-law G. Adolph Pfeil (d. 1926), a local cotton gin owner. He converted part of the living area for use as a blacksmith shop and later opened a soda water factory here. The house remained in the Pfeil family until 1939. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

The original limestone section of this Fredericksburg home was built around 1850 by pioneer settlers Albert and Doris Meinhardt. After Doris sold it in 1879 to her former son-in-law G. Adolph Pfeil, a cotton gin owner, he adapted it as a blacksmith shop and later a soda water factory, keeping it in the family until 1939.

Why it matters

A single house doubling as home, smithy, and small factory shows how German immigrant families built the crafts and industries of the Texas Hill Country.

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Related people

  • · Albert Meinhardt
  • · Doris Meinhardt
  • · G. Adolph Pfeil

Themes & tags

Nearby & related markers

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