Population28,527 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Hill Country Heritage Along the Pedernales
Gillespie County, TexasGillespie County places Fredericksburg and Stonewall within a Hill Country landscape closely associated with German settlement and presidential history. Fredericksburg is the county seat and largest city. Near Stonewall, the LBJ Ranch offers another perspective on the area’s past. These places provide different starting points for a county visit, connecting community history with the surrounding landscape. Choose specific destinations and allow time for the drives that link towns, historic sites and rural places.
Gillespie County at a Glance
Population28,527 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatFredericksburg
Largest CityFredericksburg
EstablishedFebruary 23, 1848
ZIP Codes8
Total Area1,062 sq mi (2,750 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 10 U.S. Highway 87 U.S. Highway 290 State Highway 16 Ranch to Market Road 783
Area Code830
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Gillespie County
Gillespie County was established in 1848 from parts of Bexar and Travis counties, following a petition supported largely by German immigrants. It was named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who served in the Mexican–American War. Fredericksburg became the county seat. The county’s history also includes the early public role of the Vereins Kirche and, later, Lyndon B. Johnson’s ties to the Stonewall area. These different chapters connect settlement, civic life and national history within the same Hill Country landscape.
A visit to the LBJ Ranch near Stonewall begins with current National Park Service information. The self-guided driving route uses a permit obtained at the state park visitor center, and access to individual buildings can change during restoration work. Treat that stop separately from time in Fredericksburg so that each receives enough attention. The county’s historic places span different communities, making confirmed directions and current visitor arrangements more useful than a loosely planned scenic drive.
What Shapes Us
Fredericksburg’s Role
Fredericksburg became the county seat when Gillespie County was established in 1848. The town provides a starting point for exploring the county’s settlement and civic history.
Stonewall Connections
The LBJ Ranch near Stonewall connects the county with presidential history. National Park Service information explains the driving route and current arrangements for visitors.
Plan Historic Stops
Historic sites can have different access requirements and restoration schedules. Check each destination’s own visitor information when combining Fredericksburg and Stonewall in a county itinerary.
Hill Country places connect community roots with national history.
My Local Guide
Gillespie County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Gillespie County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Gillespie County government
Public offices, departments, records and resident services.
Gillespie County Tax Office — vehicle titles and registration
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Address 101 W. Main St, Room 104, Fredricksburg, TX 78624-3700
Phone (830) 997-6519
Food, housing & family support
Central Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Gillespie County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
Central Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Fredericksburg ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Gillespie County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Gillespie County — AgriLife Extension — details and contacts
Hospitals
County & local resources
Hill Country Memorial Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Use the directory entry to locate the sheriff’s office, and confirm current non-emergency contact details with the county.
County & local resources
Gillespie County Sheriff — state directory entry
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 6 serving Gillespie County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
State natural area on the Gillespie/Llano county boundary. Confirm reservations and trail access with the operator.
County & local resources
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area — Gillespie/Llano county boundary
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
No qualifying named local trail with a verified route or access information was verified for Gillespie County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
SILVER WINGS FLY IN RANCH HOA
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Gillespie County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — 216th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — County Court at Law (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — Precinct 3 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — Precinct 4 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Gillespie County — District Clerk Office (District Clerk Office)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Gillespie County — Fredericksburg (Municipal)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Gillespie County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Address 101 W. Main St, Room 104, Fredricksburg, TX 78624-3700
Phone (830) 997-6519
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Alamo Area COG – Alamo Regional Transit – ART
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
Fredericksburg Post Office
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Stonewall Post Office — Mpo/Modular Bldg
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Gillespie County veterans service contact — (830) 997-3758
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
Regional employment assistance serving county residents. Check appointment, mobile-service and eligibility details with the provider.
County & local resources
Workforce Solutions Alamo — serves Gillespie County
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Fredericksburg is the county seat of Gillespie County, Texas.
The county overview lists Fredericksburg as its largest community.
The total area is 1,062 sq mi (2,750 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Gillespie County government website for county offices and public information.
The National Park Service directs visitors to obtain a driving permit at the LBJ State Park and Historic Site visitor center near Stonewall. Read the ranch visiting instructions.
No. The park reports restoration work affecting the Texas White House and airplane hangar visitor center. Check the latest access details on the National Park Service visitor page.
Old German Bakery & Restaurant is one option. A downtown stop for German cooking and bakery treats.
Old Thyme Fun Shop is one option. Browse novelty gifts, magic tricks and playful souvenirs.
Liebeskind, A Children’s Boutique is one option. Clothing, shoes and accessories for babies through tweens.
Cross Mountain Park is one option. Walk uphill for views over Fredericksburg. Wear shoes suited to the terrain.
National Museum of the Pacific War outdoor grounds is one option. Explore the Plaza of Presidents and Japanese Garden of Peace. Museum exhibition admission is separate.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Pioneer Museum — Explore historic buildings and exhibits about the area’s German settlers. Check admission and demonstration dates.
- The Yellow Door Studio — Try a creative workshop or pottery activity. Check available sessions and age requirements.
- Fredericksburg Skatepark — A free skatepark at Old Fair Park with shaded seating nearby.
Restaurants
- Old German Bakery & Restaurant — A downtown stop for German cooking and bakery treats.
- Clear River Ice Cream and Bakery — Choose deli food, baked treats or ice cream on Main Street.
- Leroy’s TexMex BBQ — Tex-Mex and barbecue east of Fredericksburg. Consult the restaurant for current menus and service times.
Shopping & Retail
- Old Thyme Fun Shop — Browse novelty gifts, magic tricks and playful souvenirs.
- Recess — A downtown shop for toys, books and dress-up play.
- Fredericksburg General Store — Find nostalgic sweets and Texas-themed gifts on Main Street.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Liebeskind, A Children’s Boutique — Clothing, shoes and accessories for babies through tweens.
- Fredericksburg Natural Baby — Shop baby clothing and supplies, with natural-product options.
- Haberdashery Boutique — A Main Street women’s boutique listed by the Fredericksburg chamber.
Outdoor Fun
- Cross Mountain Park — Walk uphill for views over Fredericksburg. Wear shoes suited to the terrain.
- Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park nature trails — Follow walking paths by Live Oak Creek and explore the bird and butterfly habitat.
- Marktplatz — Take a picnic break or enjoy the playground in the downtown green space.
Free Things To Do
- National Museum of the Pacific War outdoor grounds — Explore the Plaza of Presidents and Japanese Garden of Peace. Museum exhibition admission is separate.
- Cross Mountain scenic walk — Take a free self-guided walk for Hill Country views.
- Old Fair Park playground — Enjoy the public playground without an admission charge. Follow posted park rules.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.