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

John O. Meusebach

(1812 - 1897)

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

1. John O. Meusebach Marker

Inscription.
To be a Texan, Meusebach gave up title of baron in 1845. As commissioner-general, German-Emigration Company, he founded Fredericksburg in 1846 as gateway to Fisher-Miller land grant, hunting ground of the Comanche. By emptying his firearms, he won trust of Indians and made treaty to provide for unmolested settlement. Indians called him “El Sol Colorado” (The Red Sun).

State senator, 1851. In 1854 issued colonists’ headrights.

To his family motto, he added “Texas Forever”. Lived in Loyal Valley. Buried near Cherry Spring.

Erected 1964 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10084.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 30° 28.962′ N, 99° 0.489′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 87 and Cherry Spring Road, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 87. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Marschall - Meusebach Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Diedrich Rode Complex (approx.

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1.4 miles away); Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Cherry Spring School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Cherry Spring Schoolhouse (approx. 3.8 miles away); Herman and Willie Lehmann (approx. 6.4 miles away); Lange's Mill (approx. 6.9 miles away); Homesite of John O. Meusebach, 1812-1897 (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . John O. Meusebach. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on December 16, 2015.)

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

2. John O. Meusebach Marker

View to northeast across US 87

View to Northwest from US 87 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

3. View to Northwest from US 87

Marker is on right (east) side of highway

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,374 times since then and 193 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.