Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Zodiac Community

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

1. The Zodiac Community Marker

Inscription. Later known as Rocky Hill, Zodiac was on the Pedernales River three miles southeast of Fort Martin Scott. Zodiac was founded in 1847 by a group of Mormons under Lyman Wight, who had sought and received John O. Meusebach's permission to settle near Fredericksburg. They built a storehouse, private homes, and laid out a series of communal farms. The 1850 census recorded 161 residents living on 2,217 acres of land. The Mormons supplied the area with seeds, flour, furniture, and lumber; they also helped build Fort Martin Scott in 1848. The Mormons left Gillespie County after a flood destroyed their mills in 1853 but retained ownership of a one-acre cemetery in Zodiac, at which Wight was later buried. Shortly after the Mormons departed, a group of English, German, and Danish families moved in. Before and during the Civil War the area was the site of the only Gillespie County cotton plantation to use slave labor; descendants of the slaves still owned land there as late as 1947. The town was renamed Rocky Hill after the local school, built in 1885.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 30° 14.896′ N, 98° 50.743′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County

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. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 290) south of Industry Loop. The marker is located within the Fort Martin Scott grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1618 E Main St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pinta Trail (a few steps from this marker); Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post (within shouting distance of this marker); The Natural Setting (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Dragoons (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace with the Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); The Braeutigam Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Martin Scott Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. Fort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost in Fredericksburg, Texas, that was active from 1848 until 1853. It was part of a line of frontier forts established to protect travelers and settlers within Texas. This marker is somewhat weathered and difficult to read.

Also see . . . From a Former Army Base to Texas Historical Site. Fort Martin Scott Organization

Between 1870 and 1959, the Braeutigam folks bought the former army installation.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

2. The Zodiac Community Marker
Johabb Wolfgang Braeutigam had moved from the Kaltenlengsfeld district of Germany, with his folks, and advanced toward Indianola in 1845. He and his significant other chose to settle in Fredericksburg with their 9 youngsters. In 1870, the Braeutigam moved into the former army base, after soldiers deserted it and utilized it as a farm. On 3rd September 1884, Johann Braeutigam was murdered in a theft involving 4 individuals who were after Biergarten’s cash box. The Braeutigam family later sold the property to Fredericksburg City.

Some of the remarkable highlights of the former army base include: the quarters for the post commander which previously acted as the Braeutigam garden, 6 structures of troops’ houses, sutler’s warehouse and store, pastry kitchen with a stove, laundry, emergency military clinic, 3 sets of battalions for enlisted troops, quartermaster’s warehouse, a blacksmith store, and shed-fused stable. The watch house is presently the station’s only surviving structure after it was restored to mirror its underlying design of cut limestone, during the beginning of the 1900s.

(Submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.