Courthouse to Library JUN 23 2011
Certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in Fredericksburg is occupied by the Pioneer Memorial Library at 115 West Main. The building, which began life as the second courthouse for Gillespie County, was designed by Alfred Giles, an architect who was born in England in 1853 and lived in the Comfort area and San Antonio. The stone for the project was quarried just northeast of town. It was constructed in 1881/1882 and served as the courthouse until 1939.
In addition, Giles designed numerous homes of wealthy German immigrants in the King William Historic District in San Antonio, as well as public buildings across Texas and Mexico.
In 1966-77 the building was renovated with underwriting from Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott and was dedicated as the library in 1967.
Ernie Loeffler
Director, Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau
