he
present day residence known as Bierschwale Estate was designed by the renowned
architect Alfred Giles for William Bierschwale and his wife, the former Lina
Jung, in 1888 and constructed in 1889, as the cornerstone at the front of the
house attests. Bierschwale was a prominent resident of Fredericksburg, a
Gillespie County Clerk, a banker, and a Republican (rare in those days) State
Representative. Giles, who was from England, had settled near San Antonio for
health reasons and was a most sought-after architect of the day, leaving his
mark on many fine buildings around the Hill Country, San Antonio, and Mexico.
Not the least of his accomplishments is the Library in Fredericksburg
(originally the City Hall).
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original house has been changed very little since its construction except for
the addition of two bathrooms, an updated kitchen, and central heat and air.
Additionally, at some point the family replaced the original picket fence
surrounding the home with the lovely old iron one which exists today. The
original house is one of the few which boasted plastered interior walls instead
of exposed rock, a sign of success and prestige in those days. The entry
consists of a large door surrounded by original etched glass panels in a lace
pattern which is repeated on the door to the sitting room (now the library)
entrance as well.
The Bierschwale Estate
110 North Bowie
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Toll Free: 888-991-6749
E-mail:
stay@bierschwaleestate.com