The 1855 Log Cabin
THE 1855 LOG CABIN - AN ARTIST'S RETREAT IN FREDERICKSBURG TEXAS
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY PLEIN-AIR PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY
Daily | Half-Day | Hourly
On a private ranch between Fredericksburg & Luckenbach Tx
FOR ARTISTS:
• Plein-air painting outdoors in the back pasture (about 80 acres) & set-up under the shaded porch of the cabin.
• Models Posing (add'l) - Let us know if you have any requests for models, horses etc.
• Great Environment - It can be dangerous now-a-days for artists painting the Hill Country alongside paved highways & along country roads - especially for females. Here in our private back pasture, there are no cars whizzing by, no crowds, and no strangers stopping to talk to you. You'll enjoy quality time focusing on nature and your artwork!
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
• Deer blind photography with year round feeders - Watch wildlife such as whitetail deer, occasional axis, turkey, fox, etc. especially early morning & late evening. We are a low-fence property, so deer come & go as they wish.
• Birding - There are thousands of agarita berry bushes out here and the native birds LOVE them especially during late spring/early summer when the berries are red & ripe. You'll see & hear many various birds around, especially in the morning/evening.
• Enjoy some fall colors (native Spanish Oaks in November) livestock (sheep/lambs/rams), sunsets, moon rising over distant hills, dark skies, star trails, Milky Way, & night time photography.
• QUIET & PEACEFUL: Surrounded by nature.
• RELAX: Sit under the cabin's porch & enjoy a beverage, under a tree, or along a rock ledge overlooking the valley.
• VIEWS: Miles and miles of amazing views overlooking Wildseed Farms, Fredericksburg's famous Hwy 290 wine corridor, the Pedernales River Valley, & Luckenbach valley.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Bring your own water, food, art/photography equipment & supplies, chairs, bug spray, personal items, walking shoes, trash bag, etc.
No Trash cans - haul out your trash.
ELECTRICTY:
• Currently, there's NO ELECTRICITY at the cabin.
• Make sure your batteries/phones/portable lights are fully charged.
DOGS / HORSES / ANIMALS:
• Let us know if you'd like to bring your dog or horse.
• Keep dogs on a long leash.
• Don't let your dogs chase wildlife or livestock.
• Horses can be tied/staked out for light grazing.
• Please do not feed or pet our ranch dogs & sheep.
ALLERGIES & CRITTERS:
• This is native pasture so visitors may cross paths with an occasional spider, snake, honey bee, flying bugs, etc. Just be aware that you are in their outdoor environment, and watch out for them especially around underbrush, grass, blooms/wildflowers, and near rocks & fallen logs.
• The honey bees don't give us any problems as we stay away from their hive.
• Bring your allergy meds if you are allergic to any flying insects / bugs.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS / ACTIVITIES:
We are located between Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, and the famous Hill Country Hwy 290 wine corridor.
The 1855 Log Cabin is situated on top of a hill with tremendous views! The newest wineries, event centers, shopping, restaurants, venues, and peach stands are all located nearby along Hwy 290.
• DRINKS: There are numerous wineries and bars close-by. The iconic Luckenbach Dance Hall is about 2 miles away - practically neighbors!
• SHOP our historic Main Street - Downtown Fredericksburg is about 8 miles away.
OVERNIGHT STAYS / CAMPING:
• The 1855 Cabin - Currently, the cabin is for day-use on the porch. In the future, it may be available for rustic overnight camping - see project below.
• Primitive overnight camping in your own tent or travel trailer is available.
• Larger RVs are parked near the entrance in the field where it's more level. Its a short walk along our dirt road to the back pasture & 1855 Log Cabin.
Let us know if you need any assistance.
no dumping / no hook-ups / no outdoor camp fires
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HOW TO BOOK:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Our main entrance is off of a private road. It is not a public road & random visitors who do not have an appointment can be turned away.
Visitors cannot see the 1855 cabin or back pasture from our entrance.
CONTACT US with questions & to schedule your visit.
• Signed property release required.
PH: 830.342.7161 (leave voicemail with your name, info, and preferred dates.)
EMAIL: info@westerngalleries.com
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ITS HISTORY
Once upon a time, there was an old tobacco barn somewhere in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee.
The logs were purchased, disassembled, and brought to the Texas Hill Country by a local custom luxury home builder. After several years, the builder hadn't been able to sell the logs, so the pile of old logs remained stacked. The owner made the decision to burn them in order to make room for new building materials for his clients.
Upon hearing this news, Clemens Weigand, who worked in the building trades as a professional rock mason, told his brother Kermit Weigand. Kermit immediately worked out a deal with the custom home builder.
In a nutshell, the Weigand brothers saved the logs from being torched.
This was in the 1990's.
The Weigand family hauled the hefty logs to their multi generation farm, which is nestled on a beautiful hill overlooking Luckenbach valley, Fredericksburg's famous Hwy 290 wine corridor, & the Pedernales River Valley.
Together, Kermit & Clemens worked diligently going through the un-numbered logs, trying to save as many as they could. For its foundation, they gathered large slabs of ancient limestone rock from the same ranch property, and one-by-one, the logs were set in place with chink and stone added.
During its construction, which took a while since both men also worked full-time, the brothers discovered a small hidden surprise!
One of the logs had its own little story to tell.
They found the date "1855" carved into the wood, along with a few other letters, probably initials of the original pre-civil war Tennessee barn builder.
Kermit's cabin became a single room, country retreat.
This cozy getaway features a small loft, a large limestone rock fireplace, and a breezy wrap-around porch with miles of breathtaking distant views in nearly every direction!
Sadly, within a relatively short time of each other, both men passed away. But they left behind Kermit's saved log cabin - and what a little gem it is!
On one fine sunny day, the cabin served as a wedding venue for a neighbor's cowboy style outdoor wedding. But for the most part, the cabin has only been used occasionally by family, and has rarely been seen by others.
In 2022, some members of the Weigand Family moved back to their multi-generational family farm. And now, this generation of Weigands, are making new plans for their beloved country cabin - and they want to help preserve it for the next generations.
ITS FUTURE
The cabin is starting to see a new sense of energy & purpose. Its work-in-progress and the family is re-purposing it as an artist's retreat.
THE 1855 LOG CABIN PROJECT (on-going)
There's much work yet to be done!
The family wants to maintain the cabin's 1855 rustic character, and especially, they want to honor Kermit's original vision of it being an "an old-fashioned getaway". There are no plans to completely modernize it into a luxury, modern, stay.
And The Weigand's have started a 1855 Log Cabin fund, with donations received from visitor's use going towards the cabin's restoration project!
And the1855 Log Cabin will have plenty more future stories to tell!
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