The Easter Fires

Blazing on the hills around Fredericksburg each Easter Eve, combined with a local pageant, these fires recall an old tale. In March 1847, when Comanches and whites signed a major peace treaty, the Indians lighted huge signal fires on these hills. To calm her children's fears, one mother-- recalling Easter fires in her native Germany-- told them the smoke came from pots in which the Easter Bunny was dyeing eggs with flowers. As the tale spread and pioneers kindled the fires in each year of peace with the Indians, the local yearly celebration arose.

The Easter Fires is a historical marker in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 108 historical markers documented in Gillespie County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 189 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.2357, -98.8339 near Fredericksburg. The nearest cataloged historic site is Unnamed Burial (cemetery), about 1.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hahn Family, Site of Fort Martin Scott, and Mogford Family Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5171010033. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.