White Elephant Saloon - Fredericksburg Historic District - Fredericksburg, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 30° 16.393 W 098° 52.172
14R E 512549 N 3349068
Beneath the carved white elephant is the name of its builder, J. W. Kleck. Most of Fredericksburg's "gingerbread" trim is made of wood but wrought iron filigree traces the top of this building.
Waymark Code: WMXDY6
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 12/31/2017
Views: 2
NRHP Form
Constructed in 1888 by John W. Kleck, the White Elephant Saloon on East Main Street is yet another Fredericksburg landmark. The body of the structure is typical of the period—coursed-rubble side walls of limestone and a three-bay, ashlar limestone front. But the front parapet attracts great attention with its ornamental iron cresting and bas relief elephant. While a number of saloons appear on the first Sanborn maps of Fredericksburg, this is perhaps the most famous. Under two ownerships and several proprietors, it was operated as a saloon until Prohibition and has served various commercial uses since that time. Various stories have been circulated about the origin of the elephant parapet, whose enduring and whimsical appeal has continued for nearly a century.