Photos By Judy Peacock
Fischer is a Texas Hill Country community where the residents are very proud of their history. If you drive from Wimberley to Blanco on RM 32 (a portion of the Devil’s Backbone, known as one of the Hill Country’s most scenic routes), you might not even notice that you pass Fischer. If you do happen to see the city limit sign, then you still might wonder “where is the city?” Basically all you see, other than a small modern-day post office, is a handful of old buildings – no fast food restaurant, convenience store, or anything that comes to mind about a town or city. It was kept that way intentionally.
Fischer’s residents have tried to keep it looking like it did at the turn of the 20th century. They are even in the process of getting Fischer on the National Register of Historic Places. More details on this and an official announcement are expected later this year. The 2010 census shows that Fischer has a population of 688. When you include the geographic boundaries of the census, that might be a good number, but locals say that Fischer “proper” has more like a dozen people living there.
Fischer Store is a frame and tin structure that has served in the past as the community’s post office, bank, saloon, museum, and general store. Because of a sad death in the Fischer family this past year, the Fischer Store is currently closed. The family hopes to reopen it later this year, perhaps in the Fall, and to have it be more of a museum highlighting the history of the family and the community.
Fischer Haus is a turn of the last century vacation rental property that has been beautifully restored and is rich with history. With no wi-fi or television sets, entering the house is like stepping into an old country Victorian farm haus from that period. It is a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom house that can be rented by the day, weekend, or week. They have a rustic open-air event center on the grounds, called the Cantina, which can be rented for family reunions or other events. They also have regularly scheduled “house concerts” at the Cantina that they keep small, simple, and enjoyable. Fischer Haus is a perfect place to come sit on the porch, feel the breeze, slow down, and de-stress from everyday life’s chaos.
Fischer Hall, which was built just before the turn of the 20th century, was once a community school and now serves as a community meeting hall and venue for weddings, dances, and parties. It was featured in Willie Nelson’s 1980 movie, “Honeysuckle Rose.” With a very plain white exterior, the interior is beautiful with natural wood walls and floors along with wonderful old hand-hewn beams and rafters. Event planners and photographers in the area highly recommend Fischer Hall for events.
Next door to Fischer Hall is the Fischer Bowling Club, where nine-pin bowling is still alive. According to “The Handbook of Texas Online”, nine-pin bowling has disappeared from the United States except for in South and Central Texas. In nine-pin bowling, the pins are set up manually by pinsetters, usually teenagers. There are six bowlers per team who play three games consisting of six frames each. Where“normal” ten-pin bowling is an individual sport, nine-pin bowling has more of a family atmosphere to it. People play it and enjoy it because of its uniqueness, and all involved seem be a close-knit group who love getting together and getting to know each other. The Fischer Bowling Club is open to the public on Saturdays and hosts league play Tuesday through Friday evenings.
There is a slogan on the exterior wall of a building on the Fischer Haus grounds which reads, “We’re all here because we’re not all there.” Owner Jan Parrish says that sums it up for her and her neighbors. They are a unique group of friends who love their city, its history, and their lives there.
Reference:
The Handbook of Texas Online
