History

Stonewall, Texas located on the banks of the Pedernales river, in the heart of the Hill Country, is thirteen miles east of Fredericksburg in southeastern Gillespie county. Stonewall is a flourishing agricultural area. Peaches are one of the major crops grown in the area and has given Stonewall the distinction of being herald “The Peach Capital of Texas.” The peach season, May-Sept, brings thousands of visitors to the area. The Peach JAMBoree, Rodeo, and Dance the 3rd weekend in June is a major event and has been in production since 1962.

Grapes have become another major agricultural source for Stonewall. Stonewall boast several vineyards and award winning wineries. Tours are available at some of the local wineries.

Stonewall was named for Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson by Isreal P. Nunez, who established a stage station near the site in 1870 and a post office in 1875. In 1860, a few families were living in log cabins there on a grant held by Justa Flores. By 1879 a settlement called Millville was founded and named due to the mill that was built to handle the growth of the pioneer settlement. In 1882, when the stage station and post office were moved there, its name was changed to Stonewall. The German settlers combined sheep with cattle raising and experimented with fruit trees. Andreas Lindig built the first limekiln in Gillespie County at Stonewall, and from him the other settlers learned to manufacture lime (see LIMEKILNS). Stonewall is 1½ miles west of Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park; part of the land in the park was owned at one time by an original German settler of Stonewall, Casper Danz.

Stonewall has long been a farming and ranching community. The community’s rich heritage, tradition of hard work, and camaraderie will continue to inspire its residents and visitors for many years to come.