“The Blue Cottage is the best in our many trips to the Hill Country. The attention to detail and personal touches make it our favorite!”
T J, Plano, Texas, 7/8/06

“This was so much better than a hotel room after a long, hot day. We felt like we were ‘at home.’ Loved the upstairs room the best. . . . We’ll be back and would like to stay at the ‘Blue Cottage’ again.”
C & S A, Cuero, Texas, 7/14/06

“It was such a nice experience staying in your cottage. Really is just like a home, especially for meeting our kids here. Thank your for sharing your 'Roost' with us. We feel like we know you. Love your history aspect to the feel of your place.”
C, Brownwood, Texas, 8/16/06

“Great couch in the living room for two! Can’t wait to come back here. I wouldn’t change a thing!”
C& D D, Houston, Texas, 10/22/06

“This house is so nicely decorated. We enjoyed looking at all the historical items like the marriage certificate from the 1890s and old photographs of Fredericksburg. Our daughter was fascinated by the 'Gingerbread Man Nutcracker.' We appreciated the hospitality & nice little touches like the lawn chairs, the chiminea, & opportunity to check email. This house has been beautifully and lovingly restored.”
A, C, & C, Austin, Texas 1/20/07

“Our extended family had a wonderful weekend getaway and appreciate the special touches you have provided. Other guesthouses we have stayed in were pretty bare-bones while you seemed to have thought of everything! Oh! The Jacuzzi tub was a huge hit with the kids—another first for them. The large backyard is perfect for burning off kid-energy.”
T, J, A, & S G, San Antonio, Texas 3/18/07

“Blue Cottage has all the comforts of home & then some. Every room had many stories to tell. We will come back & bring our friends & children. We loved it.”
R & S T, Georgetown, Texas, 4/16/07

“We came thru & stayed 2 yrs. ago in June & when we decided to come back there was no question of where to stay! It is as cute as ever & we really enjoyed it! We’ve told everyone how we loved it here!”
R & C U, Pampa, Texas, 6/04/07

“My sister & I have been coming to Fredericksburg for many years and love to stay in different guesthouses each time. Blue Cottage is the only one we come back to again and again. This is our fourth time to stay here, the first time since you opened the upstairs. What a treat! This little house is quite special. We love it.”
B H & K B, San Marcos, Texas 7/29/07

This is a great place to stay for two couples traveling together; I’m glad I found it on the internet. Wendy & Evan are antique lovers and enjoyed looking at all the treasures in this house.
E & W L and P& HT
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
1/11/08

I have rented many house in Fredericksburg. I would have to say this was the most comfortable. Beds just great. Will stay here again. Thanks.
CH
Falls City, Texas
1/29/08

Very cozy home with lots of history and antiques. Beds very comfortable. Will be back next year. It sure beats the cold & snow in Canada.
C & B G
New Brunswick, Canada
3/24/08

Love the House. It was perfect for our “girls” weekend.
WM
Baytown, Texas
4/7/08

TO OUR VALUED GUESTS . . .

Welcome to Fredericksburg and the Blue Cottage (Riley-Enderlin House). As we are sure you know, this delightful little city with its still old world charm has a unique history. Founded in 1846, by John O. Meusebach, Secretary-General of the Adelsverein (the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas), the new community attracted settlers from the northern and central German principalities and, despite the hardships of the early years, grew and prospered. A city of over nine thousand today, Fredericksburg still exhibits a decidedly Teutonic character not only in its place names but in the community’s general appearance (notice the clean, wide streets), as well as some of the best German food to be found west of the Rhine. And, yes, you can occasionally still hear German spoken in a few of the shops along Main Street.

After visiting Fredericksburg for several years, we purchased the Riley-Enderlin (Blue Cottage) and decided to operate it as a guest house. Much to our surprise, we discovered that we derive tremendous pleasure in the challenge of buying antiques (in fact, we are dangerously close to becoming addicts) and decorating. Recently we renovated the upstairs, adding a complete bath with a shower (not designed for really tall guys) and a king size bed and futon. The theme is a somewhat tongue in cheek Texas/Southwestern, and we decided to call it the “Lone Star Roost.” The Jacuzzi in the downstairs bath is also new as is the sofa-sleeper and easy chair in the living room. We have also added a larger TV with both DVD and VCR capabilities. There is a collection of movies in the cabinet below the TV monitor in the living room. We trust, therefore, that you will enjoy your stay in the Blue Cottage as much as we enjoyed getting it ready for you! To us the Blue Cottage is a “work in progress,” so we value any suggestions you might have. Please leave us a note in the Guest Book as part of our fun is hearing from our guests.

Fredericksburg, with its wide streets and outdoor eateries, is a great town to see by bicycle, and there are two bikes in the well-house (your front door key will fit the lock). Both bikes have brand new tires and inner tubes. We acted on a suggestion from a guest and added baskets to make the bikes useful for shopping. Be sure to wear the helmets provided. Check the tire pressure; there is an air pump in the well-house.

If you like to cook outdoors, charcoal and starter fluid for the barbeque grill are in the well-house. A couple of years ago we added the chiminea (for you Yankees that is an outdoor fireplace) on the patio. The chiminea is a lot of fun on a cool evening. There should be plenty of wood, and artificial logs are stored in the well-house.

We would like to recommend to you some of our favorite places to eat, a number of which are in walking distance, as Fredericksburg is a city of fine restaurants and exceptionally good food. In fact, the Chamber of Commerce claims there are over sixty such establishments. When we are in town, we make it a practice to lunch at the newer establishments (although we can’t avoid old favorites such as Pasta Bella and Bejas Restaurant and Grill). We consider this “research.” Also, you might as well forget Dr. Adkins while in town. A word of caution, however; so many cafes and restaurants open and close in a year’s time that there may be some excellent new ones that we have not had the opportunity to try. If you discover a gem that is not on our list of recommendations, please let us know. We have sampled on more than one occasion all the establishments suggested below. Most have been in business for sometime and have well-established reputations.

Located on South Llano, a half block from Main on the left hand side of the street is Pasta Bella (103 South Llano; 990-9778). Our daughter Paige insists that we eat here at least once every time we are in town. In truth, it really doesn’t take much pleading on her part to persuade us. The food, exclusively Italian, is praiseworthy as is the service. You can tell that the young owner truly enjoys his business.

The Buffalo Nickel Restaurant, located next to Pasta Bella, is one of the newer establishments in town. When we went in for lunch, Sandy, who owns the restaurant with her husband, came by to welcome us. Decorated with authentic Indian artifacts from New Mexico, the Buffalo Nickel has an interesting menu of Southwestern/Texas fare. There were four different varieties of chicken fried steak. We were impressed with both the food and the service. The Buffalo also offers a full service bar and it is opened on Sunday.

For Southwestern fare it is difficult to beat Bejas Restaurant and Bar (209 E. Main; 997-5226). We enjoy taking our out of town guests there for lunch. Not only is the food good (try the soup of the day—we have never been disappointed; also the chicken tortilla soup is do die for), but the service is excellent. Recently, Bejas featured a “chicken-fried rib-eye” lunch special; John (who temporarily abandoned his carb counting) found it to be tender and absolutely delicious. In other words, it is not your typical Texas chicken-fried. Bejas also features an outdoor seating area where in good weather you can enjoy your meal while watching the action on Main Street. Eric, the owner is a Fredericksburg native and has become a friend. Tell Eric we recommend Bejas. Closed Sundays.

On a recent trip a Fredericksburg friend treated us to lunch at the Cotton Gin, located a few miles south of Market Square on the Kerrville highway (S. H. 16). We have wanted to try it for sometime and were most impressed with their very reasonable priced buffet. The Cotton Gin is indeed a favorite with locals.

Another friend visiting from Baytown suggested Hanna’s on Main (232 W. Main: 990-1037). We have lunched there several times and were indeed pleased. We found the soups to be especially delicious. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

The Hill Top Café (997-8922), located some twelve miles west on the Mason highway (U. S. 87), is a real gem that offers, believe it or not, Greek and Cajun cuisine in an old building reminiscent of a circa 1930s filling station and country store. Owner Johnny Nichols, a well-known blues singer who at one time played piano with Asleep at the Wheel, if around, will usually entertain. Be sure to call for reservations in the evening; closed Monday and Tuesday. The Hill Top has enjoyed considerable publicity with articles in such varied publications as the New York Times and Texas Monthly. Recently, it was selected by readers of Texas Highways as among the ten best restaurants in the state. No telling what notable you might run in to.

If you are in search of barbeque, try Cranky Franks (1679 S. U. S. Highway 87; 997-2353). Until recently this well-known Fredericksburg establishment was owned and operated by Texas high school football legend Ken Hall.

An old friend who spent a good deal of his service time in Berlin insists that Friedhelms Bavarian Restaurant and Bar (905 W. Main near the west end of town; 997-7024) offers the most authentic German food he has found in this country. Having never been to Germany, we cannot testify to that, but the food is indeed excellent. Friedhelms has recently undergone extensive renovations.

The Altdorf (301 W. Main; 997-7865) outdoor biergarten is a fun place to eat during good weather; stick with the German food however. On occasion, they feature an Om-pah-pah band. Another biergarten, the Auslander (320 E. Main, almost directly across the street from the Nimitz Museum; 997-3744) offers a wide variety of food in addition to German fare. Have you ever heard of a Mexican pizza? Well, the Auslander has, and, truthfully, it isn’t bad.

One of Fredericksburg’s most popular lunch spots is the Peach Tree Tea Room (210 South Adams; 997-9527). On weekends, call a day ahead for reservations; in fact, we have eaten there only infrequently, because it is often difficult to get a table, especially during event weekends. Open for lunch, they occasionally serve supper in the evening, depending on the season. Again, best to call ahead.

For Mexican food we enjoy Mamacita’s (997-9546) located on E. Main past the Nimitz. However, we noticed that a new Mexican restaurant has opened across the street from city hall, but we have not had the opportunity to try it.

Because of a change in state law a few years ago, Fredericksburg now has its own brew-pub, the Fredericksburg Brewing Company (145 E. Main; 997-1646) that offers lagers and ales brewed right on the premises (Donna likes the “Not So Dumb Blond”), as well as a variety of foods ranging from hamburgers to German sausage plates. They also have some interesting lunch specials. Open both for lunch and in the evenings, this is one of the first such establishments in the state. Fredericksburg Brewing was featured in the August 1995 issue of Texas Highways.

If you prefer wine to beer, try the Lincoln Street (111 South Lincoln; 997-8463), a block south of Main Street at the corner of S. Lincoln and E. San Antonio. They offer a fine selection of wines as well as cheeses. In line with the latest smoking fad, they also carry a wide variety of cigars. The atmosphere is informal; the staff friendly and helpful. It’s a great place to take a break from an afternoon of downtown shopping and enjoy a glass of wine, some cheese, and good conversation with friends. (We both swore off cigars a long time ago.)

The Rathskeller (990-5858) is located at the corner of Main and Lincoln Street. Occupying a basement below what at one time was the local hospital, it has quickly become one of our favorites. The Rathskeller is opened for breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Old German Bakery (225 W. Main, next to Gastehaus Schmidt) is a favorite breakfast spot. However, many folks prefer to go to Dietz Bakery (218 E. Main) and take home their marvelous pastries and breads. Be prepared to wait in line, especially on Saturday, and they often sell out early. Closed Sunday and Monday.

If you simply crave a cup of coffee and a muffin, a sweet roll or a breakfast tortilla wrap, try the Java Ranch (990-4517; 114 E. Main). This is a favorite of locals, and for you early birds, they open Monday through Saturday at 7:00 A. M. (Sundays, 9:00 A. M.) and features Starbucks Coffee. John likes to go there read the paper and occasionally do a little work on his laptop while Donna prepares for the day. In fact, he refers to the Java Ranch as his “Fredericksburg office.” What really makes it handy is they offer wireless internet connection. The Java Ranch also serves a light lunch. The tortilla wraps are great and a meal unto themselves. By the way, it is worth a trip just to see the Old West mural on the walls.

On one of our more recent trips to town we discovered the Airport Diner (997-4999; located at the airport next to the Hanger Hotel). This jewel features the décor of a 1940s diner--lots of polished chrome and music from the World War II era. Not only does the Airport Diner open for breakfast early in the morning but at noon offers “Blue Plate Specials.” If you desire a real taste of nostalgia (along with the calories that go with it) order a hamburger (“Bomber Burger”) with a malt and onion rings. An added feature is that the diner is situation adjacent to the runway so you may watch the action while you enjoy your meal. Interestingly, the bar inside the Hanger Hotel, aptly named “The Officers’ Club,” features 1940s décor and shows movies from that era on a large screen. Not too long ago we headed for the Diner for lunch and stumbled on to an air show. We had the thrill of witnessing one of the few extant Second World War B-17s take off and meeting “Tex” Hill, who commanded the 2nd Squadron of the Flying Tiger’s Panda Bears in China in the early years of the War. That is part of the appeal of Fredericksburg; you never know what or who you are going to run across by accident.

Donna insists that a trip to Fredericksburg would not be complete without a visit to the recently open confectionary, Chocolat (990-9382; 330 W. Main). Some of their exquisite chocolates offer a real surprise once you put them in your mouth. Careful, however, about driving if you sample too many of the Sam Houston Bourbons!

We used to say that folks did not come to Fredericksburg for the night life. However, that changed a couple of years ago with the opening of Hondo’s on Main (312 W. Main; 997-1633), named after the legendary Hondo Crouch, self-proclaimed mayor of Luckenbach. Billed as a combination museum, general store, gift shop, and domino parlor, Hondo’s features live entertainment as well as cold beer and wine. You might want to check their schedule as some of the greats of Texas music are occasionally featured. Hondo’s has become so popular that they had to move from East Main to their present larger location. Hondo’s is now serving food at lunch and in the evening. John recommends the enchiladas; they are decidedly different! Hondo’s is closed Monday and Tuesday.

A new music venue, the Rockbox (109 N. Llano; 997-ROCK), opened just a few weeks ago. They promise “professional variety live-music, Rock n’ Roll show with performances every weekend.” We have yet to experience it, but our daughter and her husband did and said it was well worth the money. The Rockbox does not serve alcohol and is definitely family oriented. Maybe folks will start coming to Fredericksburg for the night life.

A quick trip down Main Street reveals why Fredericksburg is reputed to be a shopper’s paradise. Even John, who avoids the malls at all costs, will make an occasional foray downtown. Donna suggests that you ladies need to visit the In-Step, located just up from the Nimitz Museum. She is such a regular that they call us at home in Baytown when they have a sale.

However, there is obviously a great deal more to do in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area than to go out to eat and shop. So much in fact that while we have been coming up here for years, we still have not seen and done everything. So rather than try to cover it all for you, we have left some literature including a Texas Monthly guidebook and a copy of a Ladies Day Out in the Hill Country. Please leave them for the next guests. Also, in case you simply want to fort up some evening and stay indoors, in the cabinet under the TV there is a small library of videos. Sometimes we enjoy spending an evening watching movies, something we rarely have time for at home.

We cannot resist the temptation to make a few suggestions of things for you to do while in town. If you like wines, visit some of the local vineyards and wineries. There are several in the immediate vicinity of Fredericksburg, and the reputation of Hill Country wines is growing. The tasting rooms downtown (there are three) will give you directions, as will the local Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (302 East Austin Street; 997-6523). Both the Chamber and the tasting rooms can also provide information regarding winery tours, a number of which include lunch. By the way, we are very proud of our new Chamber Visitors Center so be sure and stop by.

Take time to drive the Willow City Loop late some afternoon, The scenery is breathtaking, and you will most likely see an astounding variety of wildlife. Because of favorable weather conditions, this spring witnessed a spectacular wildflower bloom in the Willow City area. In fact, a recent article in Texas Highways suggested that the Willow City Loop was among the ten best locations in Texas to view wildflowers. Be careful, however, because the traffic can get rather heavy during the peak season, and the local constabulary frowns on folks who stop and pull off the road. For those of you who are birders, we have seen the rare Golden-Cheek Warbler on the Willow City Loop on several occasions. This suggests that they are nesting in the area. Please don’t spread this around; it’ll be our little secret.

If you enjoy exploring, drive out the Mason Highway (U. S. 87 West) to Cherry Springs and visit the grave site of the founder of Fredericksburg, John O. Meusebach. Maintained by the Gillespie County Historical Society, the small cemetery with its unique stone wall is one of the most unusual in Texas. Approximately a mile past the cemetery is the old Rode Ranch, at one time a delightfully traditional bed and breakfast that offered a panoramic view of the surrounding country side; we are unsure as to its current status. Close by is one of the lovely Lutheran churches so characteristic of the German Hill Country. Again, for you birders, during the spring and summer the country is alive with painted buntings.

A little further west on U. S. 87 is Loyal Valley near where Herman Lehmann, whose odyssey among the Indians has inspired several books, was captured by Apaches in the 1870s. One of these books, The Last Captive by A. C. Greene, is considered among the great classics of Texas literature. The Fredericksburg area is not really that far removed from the frontier in either spirit or time.

South of Fredericksburg off U. S. 16 (the Kerrville Highway), you may still view the remains of the old Morris Ranch, an internationally known horse breeding operation so extensive that it operated its own school as well as a hotel for prospective buyers.

During the late spring and summer months, don’t miss the spectacular flight of the bats at dusk from the old railroad tunnel located several miles east of the city on the Old San Antonio highway. Owned by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the tunnel is home to a large colony of Mexican free-tail bats. We understand it is actually a nursery where females come to have their young (called pups). When the bats are in residence, there is usually a ranger on duty who offers an interpretative program prior to the evening flight.

If you spend anytime in the Hill Country, it would be a shame, almost a sacrilege, to fail to visit the Wildseed Farm, located on U. S. 290 seven or so miles east of town (between Fredericksburg and the Lyndon Johnson State and National Park). The 600 acre farm grows more than 80 species of wildflowers. Depending on the season, the sight of acres and acres of bluebonnets, poppies, perennial salvia, etc. can indeed be spellbinding. There is an attractive gift shop where you may purchase seeds as well as various other items with a wildflower theme. We have planted our backyard at home with seeds from Wildseed Farm, and they have done quite well. For some time we have intended to plant the back lot of the Blue Cottage with wildflowers, but we never seem to get around to it. Be careful as you turn off U. S. 290 into the Wildseed complex. We have witnessed two wrecks as folks speeding down the road get distracted from their driving by the fields of wildflowers.

Other worthwhile attractions in Fredericksburg and the vicinity include the Nimitz National Museum of the War of the Pacific, definitely a world-class facility. The newly opened George Bush Gallery with its life-size dioramas of Pearl Harbor, the Doolittle Raid (we actually met Doolittle’s co-pilot on a recent visit), and Guadalcanal is definitely worth a morning or afternoon.

Fort Martin Scott (located a few miles east of downtown on U. S. 290) was the first such military post established on the Texas frontier following the annexation of the state and the subsequent war with Mexico. Occupied for only five years, from 1848 to 1853, the fort made a significant contribution to the development of the economy of Fredericksburg. Because of the cordial relations between the German settlers and the local Indian tribes, few actions against the native peoples originated at Martin Scott. Stationed at the fort at various times were such notable army officers as Seth Eastman, known for his sketches documenting the lives of Native Americans, and Longstreet of Civil War fame. While the only original building still standing is the guard house, several of the barracks have been reconstructed on their original sites. A friend of John’s researched the history of Martin Scott in the National Archives and discovered an enlisted man was once court marshaled for “worthlessness.” Interestingly, there were apparently degrees of worthlessness as another soldier was charged with “utter worthlessness.”

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is 17 miles north of town on S. H. 965. It features the third largest granite batholith in the world and is really fun to climb as you get a spectacular view of the unspoiled surrounding countryside. However, on holiday weekends it is difficult to get into the park as entrance is limited because excessive traffic has damaged the ecosystem.

The Lyndon Johnson State and National Park is located some 16 miles east of Fredericksburg on U. S. 290. On most days, the National Park Service offers bus tours of Johnson’s Ranch; we have taken the tour dozens of times and never tire of it. Be sure and visit the Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm while at the Johnson historical park. On the bookshelf (unless we or someone else have borrowed it) you should find The Search for Emma’s Story, a delightful little book by Marian Martinello and Ophelia Nilsen Wienheimer chronicling the life of a young German farm woman who owned and operated the farm with her husband in the early 1900s.

And of course there is the little hamlet of Luckenbach made famous by the song “Luckenbach, Texas,” where, as the town’s slogan goes, “everyone is somebody.” The general store and bar is open most nights till 9:00 p.m. Willie Nelson held his Fourth of July Picnic here on two occasions, and Jerry Jeff Walker and other Texas music legends appear on a regular bases in the old dance hall. Luckenbach is east of Fredericksburg, four miles south of U. S. 290 off F. M. 1376.

Also, keep in mind that Kerrville, with all it has to offer, is located only some 20 miles south of Fredericksburg. We especially enjoy the exhibits of the National Gallery of Western Art (formerly the Cowboy Artists of American Gallery), so much so that we have become members so we can take advantage of their special programs. The little town of Comfort (founded, interestingly enough, by German freethinkers) also approximately 20 miles south is an antique junkie’s paradise. In fact, a number of the furnishings and decorative items in the Blue Cottage were purchased there.

As you have probably surmised by now, we have a great fondness for Fredericksburg and the Hill County. We sincerely hope you enjoy your stay and come back often. Have you guessed it? We are both history teachers. John teaches American history and directs the Honors Program at Lee College in Baytown, and Donna teaches American history in high school.

Warm regards from your hosts,
John and Donna Britt