Cherry Spring, Texas
Encyclopedia
Cherry Spring is an unincorporated farming and ranching community
established in 1852 in Gillespie County
, in the U.S. state
of Texas
. It is located on Cherry Spring Creek, which runs from north of Fredericksburg
to Llano
. The creek was also sometimes known as Cherry Springs Creek by residents. The community is located on the old Pinta Trail.
The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places Listings in Gillespie County, Texas
on May 6, 2005, NRHP Reference #:05000389. The school was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
in 1985.
Current population is 75. Elevation 1,791 feet.
and Travis
counties.While the signers were overwhelmingly German immigrants, names also on the petition were Castillo, Pena, Munos, and a handful of non-German Anglo names.
The community was originally settled by German
immigrants Dietrich Rode, a director of the original Zion Lutheran Church
in Fredericksburg, and William Kothe in 1852. Rode also served as a Luthern lay minister in his home at Cherry Springs, leading to the establishment of Christ Luthern Church. The still active church has some 200 members. Mr. Rode’s original home
still stands near the church.
The 1860 Census of Gillespie County listed 117 people in Cherry Spring.
John O. Meusebach brokered the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
in 1847, making area settlers safe from Comanche raids. However, Kiowa
, and Apache
depredations were still committed against the settlers. The most famous white captive of the area was Herman Lehmann
. Lehmann later ran the cattle drive stop that became the Cherry Springs Dance Hall
.
John O. Meusebach
was buried in Cherry Spring in the family cemetery after his death in 1897.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
established in 1852 in Gillespie County
Gillespie County, Texas
Gillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is located on Cherry Spring Creek, which runs from north of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
to Llano
Llano, Texas
-History:Llano County was established in compliance with a February 1, 1856, state legislative act. The Llano River location was chosen in an election held on June 14, 1856, under a live oak on the south bank of the river, near the present site of Roy Inks Bridge in Llano...
. The creek was also sometimes known as Cherry Springs Creek by residents. The community is located on the old Pinta Trail.
The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places Listings in Gillespie County, Texas
National Register of Historic Places listings in Gillespie County, Texas
List of Registered Historic Places in Gillespie County, TexasThis is intended to be a complete list of properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Gillespie County, Texas...
on May 6, 2005, NRHP Reference #:05000389. The school was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
in 1985.
Current population is 75. Elevation 1,791 feet.
Settlers and Community
On December 15, 1847, a petition was submitted to create Gillespie County. In 1848, the legislature formed Gillespie County from BexarBexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
and Travis
Travis County, Texas
As of 2009, the U.S. census estimates there were 1,026,158 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 821 people per square mile . There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 per square mile...
counties.While the signers were overwhelmingly German immigrants, names also on the petition were Castillo, Pena, Munos, and a handful of non-German Anglo names.
The community was originally settled by German
German Texan
German Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
immigrants Dietrich Rode, a director of the original Zion Lutheran Church
Zion Lutheran Church (Fredericksburg, Texas)
Zion Lutheran Church is located in Fredericksburg, in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the oldest Lutheran Church in the Texas Hill Country and one of the oldest in Texas. The church was built by six families in 1852. On January 13, 1853, twelve founders signed its articles...
in Fredericksburg, and William Kothe in 1852. Rode also served as a Luthern lay minister in his home at Cherry Springs, leading to the establishment of Christ Luthern Church. The still active church has some 200 members. Mr. Rode’s original home
still stands near the church.
The 1860 Census of Gillespie County listed 117 people in Cherry Spring.
John O. Meusebach brokered the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
The Meusebach-Comanche Treaty was a treaty between the private citizens of the Fisher-Miller Land Grant in Texas , who were predominantly German in nationality, and the Penateka Comanche Tribe. The treaty was officially recognized by the United States government...
in 1847, making area settlers safe from Comanche raids. However, Kiowa
Kiowa
The Kiowa are a nation of American Indians and indigenous people of the Great Plains. They migrated from the northern plains to the southern plains in the late 17th century. In 1867, the Kiowa moved to a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma...
, and Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
depredations were still committed against the settlers. The most famous white captive of the area was Herman Lehmann
Herman Lehmann
Herman Lehmann was captured as a child by Native Americans. He lived first among the Apache and then the Comanche but eventually returned to his family later on in his life. The phenomenon of a "white boy" raised by "Indians" made him a notable figure in the United States...
. Lehmann later ran the cattle drive stop that became the Cherry Springs Dance Hall
Cherry Springs Dance Hall
Cherry Springs Dance Hall, is one of the oldest and most historic dance halls in Texas. It is located at 17662 North U.S. Highway 87, Cherry Springs, TX 78624. miles NW of Fredericksburg, Texas in Gillespie County's portion of the Texas Hill Country is the Texas farming community of Cherry Spring...
.
John O. Meusebach
John O. Meusebach
John O. Meusebach , born Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, was at first a Prussian bureaucrat, later an American farmer and politician who served in the Texas Senate, District 22.-Early years:John O...
was buried in Cherry Spring in the family cemetery after his death in 1897.
Cherry Spring Schools
Das Alte Schulhaus, the Old Cherry Spring School, served the children of the community 1860-1878, before being converted for church services. The land had been donated by German nobleman Wilhelm Marschall von Bieberstein. From 1878 to 1885, classes for children of German immigrants were held in private homes. The second Cherry Spring School was built in 1885 on land donated by H. Bratherich. Teachers would often board with area residents. The end of each school year in May was a community celebratory event with baseball, barbecue, a play, and an oompah band. The school consolidated with Fredericksburg ISD in 1962. The building is now used as the Cherry Spring Community Club. Added to the National Register of Historic Places Listings on May 6, 2005.See also
- Cherry Springs Dance HallCherry Springs Dance HallCherry Springs Dance Hall, is one of the oldest and most historic dance halls in Texas. It is located at 17662 North U.S. Highway 87, Cherry Springs, TX 78624. miles NW of Fredericksburg, Texas in Gillespie County's portion of the Texas Hill Country is the Texas farming community of Cherry Spring...
- Crabapple, TexasCrabapple, TexasCrabapple, Texas is an unincorporated farming and ranching community north of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas located on Crabapple Creek, about halfway between Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock State Park at an elevation of 1,775 feet....
- Doss, TexasDoss, TexasDoss is an unincorporated farming and ranching community at the crossroads juncture of FM 783 and FM 648 in northwestern Gillespie County, Texas, United States. It is 19 miles NW of Fredericksburg and 14 miles NW of Harper. Postal zip code is 78618. Elevation is 1729 feet.*The U.S...
- Enchanted RockEnchanted RockEnchanted Rock is an enormous pink granite pluton rock formation located in the Llano Uplift approximately north of Fredericksburg, Texas, USA and south of Llano, Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which includes Enchanted Rock and surrounding land, spans the border between Gillespie...
- Fredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
- Harper, TexasHarper, TexasHarper is a census-designated place , located west of Fredericksburg on U.S. Highway 290, in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 1,192 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Harper is located at...
- Loyal Valley, TexasLoyal Valley, TexasLoyal Valley is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1858, and is north of Cherry Spring in the southeastern corner of Mason County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located near Cold Spring Creek, which runs east for to its mouth on Marschall Creek in...
- Luckenbach, TexasLuckenbach, TexasLuckenbach is an unincorporated community thirteen miles from Fredericksburg in southeastern Gillespie County, Texas, United States, part of the Texas Hill Country. It consists of between South Grape Creek and Snail Creek, just south of U.S. Highway 290 on the south side of Farm to Market Road...
- Sisterdale, TexasSisterdale, TexasSisterdale, Texas, is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1847 and located north of Boerne in Kendall County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located in the valley of Sister Creek. The current 2010 population is 25...
- Texas Hill CountryTexas Hill CountryThe Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...