Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
Where flowers bloom, so does hope.
- Lady Bird Johnson
This is the second and final post from our April trip to Fredericksburg. Read the first part here.
After the beautiful weather we had at Enchanted Rock on Friday, the next couple of days in the Fredericksburg area were mostly gray and rainy. On Saturday we headed to the historic downtown district to get some sweet treats from Pritzer Sweet Shop, then to the Hye Market Deli & Eatery about 25 minutes outside of town. This little deli serves amazing sandwiches out of a historic post office right off of Highway 290, basically across the street from LBJ State Park and Historic Site. After lunch we headed back to our Airbnb, and spent the rest of our Saturday lounging around and watching movies.
The next day happened to be Easter Sunday. We had a reservation for brunch on the patio at Otto's German Bistro. We got there a couple minutes before they opened, and it was just enough time for Tessa to surprise me with a little trip across the street to visit the Japanese Garden of Peace.
This traditional peace garden, constructed in the mid-1970's, was a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States and was a part of reconciliation between the two countries after World War II. It is located at the boyhood home of Chester W. Nimitz, who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II. Nimitz played a major part in the naval history of that conflict. His home, the peace garden, and several other installations around Fredericksburg comprise the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
After our brunch, we took the short drive out 290 from Fredericksburg through the Hill Country vineyards and Stonewall, to the LBJ Ranch, the home of both the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
Located on the south side of the Pedernales River, the LBJ State Park and Historic Site serves as the gateway to LBJ Ranch. Some of Johnson's friends raised the money to buy the land across the river from the ranch. This land was donated to the State of Texas in 1965, and opened as a park in 1970.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site's exhibits give visitors a look into the life and times of Lyndon B. Johnson as well as the history of the area where he was born and grew up. A small number of historic cabins built in the 1860s and 1870s, decorated with period furnishings, are located near the visitor center.
The park is also home to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, a functioning farm that looks and operates as it might have around the turn of the century. Park rangers work the farm while wearing historical clothing. Their duties include caring for the livestock, tending the garden, working in the blacksmith shop, and canning and butchering. The canned goods can be purchased from the gift shop in the visitor center. Read more at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm website.
Lastly there are 1.2 miles of nature trails that weave throughout the park, offering access not just to wildflowers and the historic farm, but also bison, longhorn, and wildlife viewing areas. When we visited, the bison were being shy, but we did run across a couple of longhorns who were lazing about their pen.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
A quick drive along and across the Pedernales River lies the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. The entrance fee you pay at the state park also gets you access to the national park. Driving and audio tours are available, and visitors will encounter a number of buildings associated with LBJ's family and childhood, the Texas White House, a hangar housing Air Force One-Half, Johnson's historical car collection, and quite a bit more.
