Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Early Life in Fredericksburg
Admiral Chester Nimitz
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
1. Early Life in Fredericksburg Marker
Chester William Nimitz was born on 24 February 1885 in the house at 249 East Main Street. Shortly before Chester was born, his father died and Chester and his mother, Anna, moved into the Nimitz Hotel, located behind you. Charles Henry Nimitz, Chester's grandfather, built the hotel in the 1850s. Recently widowed and semi-retired, he devoted much time to his grandson.
In later years, Chester Nimitz would write, "I didn't know my father, because he died before I was born. But I had a wonderful white-bearded grandfather." Between chores and homework I listened wide-eyed to stories about his youth in the German merchant marine.
'The sea, like life itself, is a stern taskmaster,' he would say. 'The best way to get along with either is to learn all you can, then do your best and don't worry, especially about things over which you have no control."'
Grandfather's Advice
In July 1908, while commanding the USS Decatur, the ship ran aground on a mud bank in the Philippines. Knowing he would have to wait and be pulled off in the morning, Nimitz recalled his grandfather's advice about not
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
2. The Early Life in Fredericksburg Marker at the entrance to the gift shop
this page online
Captions
Middle Lower: Grandpa Nimitz with one of his grandchildren. (Nimitz Education and Research Center)
Lower Right: For more on Chester Nimitz's life visit the Admiral Nimitz Museum located in the former Nimitz Hotel.
Erected by Admiral Nimitz Gallery - National Museum of the War in the Pacific.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1885.
Location. 30° 16.322′ N, 98° 52.055′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 290) and North Washington Street. The marker is located northwest of the Admiral Nimitz Gallery which is a part of the National Museum of the Pacific War. There is an entrance fee to visit inside the museum but this marker is located on the outside grounds by the gift store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 East Main Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nimitzplatz (here, next to this marker); No Fear of Hard Study (here, next to this marker); Selflessness (a few steps from this marker); Command Judgment (a few steps from this marker); Dedicated to all Those Who Served 3rd Marine Division during WWII (a few steps from this marker); "Mahler Triplets" (a few steps from this marker); Morale (a few steps from this marker); Legacy (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Also see . . . Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. National Museum of the Pacific War website entry (Submitted on May 1, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
