The 1855 Log Cabin
THE 1855 LOG CABIN, FREDERICKSBURG TEXAS ARTIST RETREAT
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY PLEIN-AIR PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY
Daily | Half-Day | Hourly
Nestled between Fredericksburg & Luckenbach Texas, the Weigand Ranch was first established in the 1950's. Back then, it was way out in the county. But now the Tx Hill Country wine industry and other attractions are growing all around.
The Weigand family is now offering visitors and artists a glimpse into what they treasure... time spent enjoying the outdoors, the 'old-fashioned' 1855 Log Cabin, along with some of the most spectacular views that Fredericksburg has to offer!
FOR ARTISTS:
• PLEIN-AIR PAINTING - in a quiet & peaceful environment, with wildlife, sheep, and native pasture.
You'll enjoy quality time focused on nature and your artwork!
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
• DEER BLIND PHOTOGRAPHY with year-round feeders.
View wildlife such as whitetail & axis deer, occasional turkey, fox, etc. especially at first light & late evening. This is a low-fence property, so deer come & go as they please.
• BIRDING - There are thousands of agarita berry bushes & mustang grapes growing out here and native birds LOVE them! Especially during late spring/early summer when the berries are ripe. You'll see & hear many various bird species, especially in the early morning & evening.
• FALL COLORS - Some Spanish Oaks in November.
• LIVESTOCK - Sheep/lambs/rams. Let us know if you need a horse model.
• SUNSETS & DARK SKIES - Astrophotography, star trails, Milky Way, moon rising, clouds over the distant hills, distant lightening storms.
• LIVE MODELS - Let us know if you have any requests for models.
---
VIEWS:
There are miles and miles of amazing and rare views overlooking Wildseed Farms, Fredericksburg's famous Hwy 290 wine corridor, Pedernales River Valley, & Luckenbach valley.
RELAX:
Sit under the cabin's walk-around log and stone porch, & enjoy a beverage. Grab a folding chair and sit under a tree with your sketchbook and pencil in hand, or along a ledge overlooking the Hill Country.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Bring your own water, food, art/photography equipment & supplies, chairs, bug spray, personal items, walking shoes, hiking stick, trash bag, binoculars, etc.
No available Trash cans - haul out your trash.
ELECTRICTY:
• Currently, there's NO ELECTRICITY at the 1855 Log Cabin.
• Make sure your batteries/phones/portable lights are fully charged.
DOGS / HORSES / ANIMALS:
• Let us know if you would like to bring your dog or horse.
• Keep dogs on a long leash at all times. They are not allowed to chase wildlife or livestock. Keep your pet away from our family's ranch dogs who may roam the ranch freely with the owners - this is a working farm/ranch.
• Horses can be tied/staked out for light grazing.
• Do not feed or pet livestock.
ALLERGIES & CRITTERS:
• This is native pasture. You may see an occasional spider, snake, honey bee, flying bugs, etc. Just be aware that you are in their home & environment! 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 any needed allergy meds.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS / ACTIVITIES:
We are located between Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, and the famous Hill Country Hwy 290 wine corridor.
The newest wineries, event centers, shopping, restaurants, venues, and peach stands are all located nearby.
DRINKS:
There are many numerous wineries and bars close-by.
Luckenbach Dance Hall is about 2 miles away (practically neighbors)!
SHOP:
Downtown Fredericksburg & its historic Main Street - about 8 miles away.
THE 1855 LOG CABIN PROJECT
Partial proceeds from all activity donations will go towards THE 1855 LOG CABIN PROJECT for needed repairs and maintenance to help preserve this precious little cabin!
OVERNIGHT PRIMITIVE CAMPING
• The 1855 Cabin - Currently, the cabin is for outdoor day-use under the wrap-around porch.
In the future, it may be available for rustic overnight camping.
TENTS / RVs
• Primitive overnight camping in your tent or travel trailer is available.
• Boon docking - RVs are parked near the entrance in an open field. It's a short walk along our dirt farm road to the back pasture & 1855 Log Cabin.
No dumping
No hook-ups
No outdoor camp fires
---
HOW TO BOOK:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Our main entrance is off of a private road. There's no public access.
Random visitors who do not have an appointment can be turned away.
The 1855 log cabin or back pasture cannot be viewed from our entrance / public road.
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
---
1855 LOG CABIN 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, and 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 and obtained the logs.
In a nutshell, these Weigand brothers saved the logs from being torched!
This was in the 1990's.
The Weigand family hauled the hefty logs up to the top of the hill on their family farm.
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.
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, private retreat for the family.
This cozy getaway features a small loft, a large limestone rock fireplace, and a breezy wrap-around porch with miles of breathtaking views in every direction!
On one fine sunny day, the cabin served as a rustic wedding venue for a neighbor's cowboy style outdoor wedding. But for the most part, the cabin has only been used occasionally or for storage.
But now, members of the Weigand family are making new plans for their beloved country cabin - and they also want to help preserve it for future generations.
ITS FUTURE
Its work-in-progress but the cabin is starting to see a new sense of energy & purpose 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 honor Kermit's original vision of it being an "an old-fashioned getaway".
When visiting the cabin, you may get a sense of stepping back in time to the 1800's.
And here are no plans to completely modernize and change it into a luxury, modern, stay.
With the 1855 Log Cabin Project, donations received from visitor's use is going towards the cabin's restoration project.
And the 1855 Log Cabin will have plenty more future stories to tell!
Photos (Before restoration):
Overlooking Hwy 290 wineries & Wildseed Farms.
---
© Western Galleries, Fredericksburg TX
All Rights Reserved