Wrede School
Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas
School Snapshot
Quick details for visitors
- 📍 Location 3828 South State Highway 16
- 🗓️ Established 1896
- 🏫 School Type One-room country school
- 🔑 Access Grounds open; building open during events (when scheduled)
- 🧭 Directions Open in Google Maps
- 🎟️ Open Houses View upcoming dates
Plan Your Visit to Wrede School
Past Open House
Click below to view all upcoming events.
July 18, 2026
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Theme: Come tour the historic school and enjoy a "Four Seasons" theme.
Use the button below to view all open houses and events.
Directions to Wrede School
The Wrede School is located at 3828 South State Highway 16.
Use the buttons below to view the driving directions to Wrede School and to download the printable Driving Trail brochure.
Overview
Wrede School was built in 1896 and consolidated in 1960. Lumber for the school was hauled by wagon from Comfort, Texas, and classes began on October 15, 1896, with 46 students enrolled.
Enrollment reached as high as 53 students in the 1950s. In 1949, Pedernales School was consolidated with Wrede, and students from Bear Creek School were also later consolidated with Wrede. During its 64-year history, Wrede had 24 teachers. Teacher salaries ranged from about $28 per month in 1896 to approximately $288 per month by 1959.
Although many students did not speak English when they entered first grade, speaking German on the school grounds was forbidden.
Life at Wrede School
All visits and tours are by appointment only. To make rental arrangements or request additional information, please contact the school’s designated rental representative by phone or submit your request through our Contact Us form. When using the form, be sure to select the school(s) you wish to visit and include your preferred date and details.
For the Wrede School, please contact Marjorie Otte at 830-644-2655 or Violet Ottmers at 830-456-3708.
If the school building is locked, feel free to look through the windows to glimpse the interior. Should a private event be underway, we kindly ask that you respect the occasion and avoid interrupting activities.
To schedule a guided visit or tour of the Wrede School, please contact Marjorie Otte at 830-644-2655 or Violet Ottmers at 830-456-3708., or submit a request through our Contact Us form. When using the form, select Wrede School from the dropdown menu and include your preferred date, time, and any additional details.
Full History of Wrede School
Wrede School was built on land owned by Friedrich von Wrede. Early organizers included Julius Ransleben, May Ransleben, Carl Hilker, Jacob Usener, William Schnerr, Theo Boos, and Louis Crenwelge.
The original wooden school building was constructed in 1896 using lumber hauled by wagon from Comfort, Texas. Classes began on October 15, 1896. A hand-dug well supplied water for the school, which was located on the Kerrville Highway near what is now Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. The schoolhouse has never been moved from its original location.
In July 1949, Bear Creek School was consolidated with Wrede School. Wrede then operated as a two-teacher school from 1949 until 1959, and enrollment during this period reached approximately 53 students.
Over its 64 years of operation, Wrede School was served by 24 teachers. Some taught for a time, left for several years, and later returned. In 1896, a teacher’s salary was about $28 per month. By 1959, a teacher might receive about $288 per month.
Like many rural schoolhouses, Wrede also served as a community gathering place. Residents came together there for parties and dances, and the 4-H Club and Extension Homemakers Club also met at the school. In later years, elections were held in the schoolhouse.
Wrede Leadership
Vice-President: Roy Sedwick, 512-496-0692
Secretary/Treasurer: Violet Ottmers, 830-456-3708
Publicity: Doris Ernst, 830-997-2509
Membership: Paulette Leyendecker, 512-497-4937
Wrede Photo Gallery
If you have Wrede School photos you'd like to share, you can use our Contact Us form to submit them. Please include details and identification of individuals who may be featured in the photos.