Kurt Ditges
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Former Fredericksburg resident Kurt Ditges had a dream, a vision for our community. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to see his dream become a reality with his passing late in 2022. Kurt & many others in the PCAA organization began with the idea of a Glockenspiel Tower back in 2014. A group from Meusebach Germany came to attend our Founders Day Celebration one early May. Subsequently, Kurt traveled back to Meusebach and was intrigued by a reconstructed tower from a 15th century fortification system…Kurt could envision such a structure on Marktplatz. Plans began & committees were formed. Over the years, designs were drawn & companies were pursued to construct this tower in Marktplatz. |
Unfortunately, COVID hit our country in 2020, work on this project ceased & Kurt passed away unexpectedly in late 2022, potentially ending this possibility for our community. The project was seemingly “shelved” and time marched forward.
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Late in 2023, the idea of our community having a Glockenspiel Tower was resurrected during discussions at a PCAA membership meeting. A committee was formed, and work began anew. This new effort is led by Mike Zenner & Andy Ybarra with committee members including Tim Crenwelge, Rose Marie Mazanke, Blair Nevins, Debbie Reeh, Brandon Weinheimer, and Pam Wilson
Kurt’s efforts & research were the foundation that this new committee utilized as they moved forward. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, some of the aspects of the project were no longer viable options to pursue. |
Image credit: Fredericksburg Standard Newspaper
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So, efforts were renewed & four companies were looked into as possibilities to construct the tower. Two German Companies & Two American Companies. The new committee members wanted “authenticity” to be a guiding principle from Bells to Clocks to Moving Figurines. After many months of research, the committee selected Christoph Foundry from Charleston SC. They were the only American company found that delivered everything committee members were looking for.
As stated earlier, authenticity was a huge priority for this committee. A digital carillon could have provided the sounds of bells, but not as authentic sound or even the desired look. So the choice of 38 bronze bells was made with the bells being poured in Belgium. These 38 bells will allow for more complex musical choices while giving incredible depth & range to the actual sounds & music to be played. |
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One of the other priorities that the committee wanted to achieve, was the addition of a keyboard. This would allow greater musical flexibility & the opportunity for there to be bell driven musical events at Marktplatz. Concerts with local keyboard experts, as well as the youth of the community.
In working with Christoph Foundry, after many months a design for the tower was agreed upon. This new design with limestone exterior, was presented to the Historical Review Board, Market Square Redevelopment Commission & to the City Council, all giving unanimous approval for this preliminary design. The most unique aspect of the design is to have a stage on the front of the tower with the stage area flanked by John O. Meuesbach & a Comanche Chief reflecting upon our communities’ early beginnings. Additionally, there will be a peace pipe above the stage & the date of 1846 on the tower facade. |
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Current design is for a 45 ft limestone bell tower. There will be 38 bronze bells visible from below as well as 4 large, beautiful clocks on the face of the tower. These clocks will be lit at night. The final aspect & the one that will define our tower will be the moving figurines. These will highlight numerous historical figures during our community’s past. Additionally, there will be figures paying homage to our German culture of music, dancing & family. Imagine these figures moving about to the sounds of music from our bells… |
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In discussions with Market Square Redevelopment Commission, several possible locations on Marktplatz were reviewed. The idea was to create a Glockenspiel Plaza near the current Maibaum or May Pole. This would attract visitors to a lesser utilized area of the park & offer the shade from the adjacent Halls in the hot summer months.
Current estimates have our Glockenspiel Bell Tower coming in at $2 million or more. The variables include the cost of bronze, tariffs, the escalation of material cost and local contractors. When adequate funding is in place, a contract will be signed & costs will be locked in. The idea of a Glockenspiel Bell Tower is rooted in our German history. The hope is that all residents will take incredible pride in this new addition to our community and Marktplatz. There’s nothing like it in the state of Texas and when completed, the bells of Fredericksburg will be enjoyed for generations to come. It is with this background & the support of the HRB, Market Square Redevelopment Commission & the City Council, that PCAA is proud to announce the next steps forward for this project…public fund raising. All donations towards this project will be handled by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, where a separate Glockenspiel account has been set up. All donations are tax deductible. |
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