Historical Markers of Texas

131 Alsatians of Texas Houston Square, Castroville. In 1842, Empresario Henry Castro brought his first colonists to Texas to settle land west of the Medina River. Most of the immigrants were from the ... 186 Arcadius Steinle House 1416 Florella St. A native of Hettingen, Prussia, and a mason by trade, Arcadius Steinle emigrated to the U.S. in 1844 and moved to Castroville the next year. In 1847, ...

332 Battle of the Arroyo Hondo FM 462, 6.5 miles north of Hondo. From Hondo, take FM 462 North about 6.5 miles to marker. In 1842 the Mexican Army launched three invasions into Texas to reclaim territory lost during the Texas Revolution. Col. Rafael Vasquez's Army briefly ... 3505 Before this Dam_Mountain Valley On Medina Dam, 250 feet NW of Medina Dam Rd. (CR 271) on private property with restricted access. Marker reported damaged Jan. 2000. Bronze plaque attached to concrete base, pink granite base not present. Before this dam was built there existed above this site a settlement known as Mountain Valley. Established in 1854 by 16 families of Mormons under ... 397 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Quihi community, FM 2676, N side 150 feet NW of FM 4520 The Rev. Christian Oefinger, serving as pastor of the Castroville Lutheran Church, led in founding this congregation in March 1852. The first church ... 18540 Biry-Arh Property Castro Colonies Living History Center Castroville was founded by Empresario Henri Castro in 1844. By the mid-1840s, immigrants, many from the Alsatian region in Europe, began to settle ...

23666 Castro Out-lot No. 60 1230 County Road 477 To retain colonists in his new town, Henri Castro gifted a 40-acre farming “out-lot” and one “town lot” to those who would live in Castroville. Out-lot ... 23821 Castroville Field marker pending marker pending 875 City Hotel 11280 Castro Boulevard, La Coste. Built in 1912 by Alsatian immigrant and prominent local developer Emil Schmidt, the City Hotel offered public lodging previously unavailable to visitors ... 1058 Cordier-Tschirhart-Seal House Intersection of Paris/Isabella, Castroville. Jean Baptiste Cordier (1804-1881) built this Alsatian pioneer dwelling after migrating to Texas in 1844. The native limestone structure had three ... 1097 Cow Camp Massacre on Hondo Creek 402 N - at North County Line). From Hondo, take 462 North about 19.5 miles to county line. During the mid-1800s the Texas Hill Country was the site of many hostile encounters, some deadly, between pioneer immigrants whose permanent settlements ...

1213 Devine Evergreen Cemetery North Teel Drive at Colonial Parkway, Devine. Although a fire destroyed the earliest written records of this burial ground, it is known that the first graves are those of Elisha Whitley and Henry ... 1214 Devine Lodge, No. 590 A.F. & A.M. 612 Moore Avenue, Devine. Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas on Dec. 12, 1884, this Masonic body first met on the second floor of Josh Herring's store at Commercial Dr. ... 12143 D'Hanis 7300 block Front St. (CR 525), south side between Lindsay and Blanco In 1847 Henri Castro established D'Hanis, his fourth colony, 1.5 miles east of this site, named for a Castro Company official. Alsatian immigrants ... 13252 Dolch-Hans Compound 1213-1215 Fiorella Street. Compound includes five buildings and structures. This compound reflects a continuum of Castroville's history from before the Civil War. German immigrants Louis and Rosina (Niggli) Dolch built the ... 1291 Dubuis House Angelo St., NE side 120 feet NW of London St. on private property The two original rooms in this house were erected 1847 by Father Claude M. Dubuis, from Lyons, France, aided by Father Chazelle (who soon died of ...

1523 F. Xavier Schmidt House Corner of Lisbon and Naples, Castroville. Built about 1870 by German artisan who constructed many houses in area. Cypress logs were floated down the Medina River, adzed lengthwise for attic ... 1627 First Baptist Church of Devine 308 West Hondo, Devine. This congregation, founded in 1882 by the Rev. D. Johnson, the Rev. C.B. Hukill, and 35 charter members, was the first church organized in Devine. ... 14895 First Church in Castroville Castroville 1724 First County Courthouse City Hall on Fiorella Street, Castroville Erected 1854; first permanent courthouse in Castroville, the first seat (1848-1892) of Medina County. When built, structure was on old road to San ... 1934 Fohn-Bless Store 1020 Eighteenth Street, Hondo. Store-residence built in D'Hanis about 1878 by John Fohn (1839-91), a native of Prussia. In addition to a general mercantile store, the structure ... 377 Fred Metzger House 1003 Sixteenth Street, Hondo. From Application for Texas Historical Building Medallion: Brick, partial two-story, inner walls also solid brick, hand-carved staircase, other hand-carved ...

2100 Gallagher Ranch private road off SH 16 near Bexar-Medina county line, on private property. Fort and ranch house built by Peter Gallagher (1812-1878), Irish-Texan engineer, merchant, ranger, and diarist of the Texan-Santa Fe Expedition. ... 15694 General Woll's Road Quihi community, NW side FM 2676 opposite CR 4519 In 1842, there were two major invasions into the Republic of Texas by Mexican troops. Active Brigade General Adrian Woll was ordered to lead the ... 17849 General Wool and the Chihuahua Road Houston Square GENERAL WOOL AND THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD In 1846, General John Ellis Wool amassed an army of 3,400 troops in San Antonio to invade Chihuahua, Mexico. ...

18274 Haby Settlement FM 2676 at CR 271 Located on the high bluff on the west side of the Medina River, seven miles north of Castroville, the Haby Settlement was established in the 1840s. ... 2439 Henri Castro Located at September Square, bordered by US 90, Alamo Street, Lafayette Street, and Fiorella Street, Castroville. Henri Castro, a native of Bayonne, France, and the descendant of Portuguese nobility, served briefly in Napoleon's French Army. In 1813 he married ... 12144 Hondo 1600 Avenue M Spanish explorers passed this way several times in the centuries preceding Anglo settlement of the area. The original village that would become Hondo ... 22424 Hondo Army Air Field 700 Vandenberg marker pending 2549 Hondo Methodist Church 1006 16th Street, Hondo Early Methodist settlers in this area worshipped under a live oak tree on the banks of the Hondo Creek. The Methodists organized as a church in 1857 ...

12151 Ihnken Family Cemetery Alsace Aveneue, just east of Gentilz Street intersection Early Castroville colonist and Dutch immigrant Marie Becker Ihnken was buried just north of this site in 1847 by her son, Gerhard. The German-born ...

12357 J. M. Koch's Hotel Front St. (CR 525) J. M. and Mary Ann Koch owned and operated a hotel in D'Hanis beginning in 1898. They purchased the land on this site in July 1902, and built this ... 2884 Judge Thomas L. Devine (1820-1890) Southeast Corner of 132 and 173, Devine. Born in Nova Scotia. Came to Texas in 1843. Became District Judge, 1851. On the powerful Public Safety Committee of the Texas Secession Convention, ...

3031 Landmark Inn Landmark Inn State Historic Site These limestone structures along the Eagle Pass - San Antonio Road at the Medina River ford were once centers of trade, travel, industry, and domestic ... 3068 Leinweber Building M Street on downtown plaza, Highway 90, Hondo. Built in 1907 for Ernest Roland Leinweber (1869-1922), a prominent Hondo businessman, this three-story commercial building was constructed by prolific ... 3135 Louis Haller House Fiorella Street #1307, Castroville A native of France, 17-year-old Louis Haller (d. 1920) came to Texas with his father in 1845. He was a scout for the Texas Rangers and a wagoner ... 24165 Lytle Masonic Cemetery marker pending marker pending

3242 Masonic Cemetery of Hondo Valley Lodge No. 252, A.F. & A.M. 4 mi. NE on FM 2676, 0.3 mi. S on CR 456 In 1859, a decade after Medina County was created, Freemasons and others in the New Fountain Settlement built a 2-story stone church-lodge hall at ... 16070 Medina County TxDOT offices, Avenue E and 23rd Street Medina County, Formed from Bexar County. Created Februaru 12, 1848, organized August 7, 1848. Named for the river which traverses the county. County ... 3313 Medina County Courthouse FM 462 (Avenue M) at 16th St. Medina County was organized in 1848 with Castroville as the county seat. In 1892, as the result of an election, the seat of county administration ... 3314 Medina Dam On Medina Dam, 250 feet NW of Medina Dam Rd. (CR 271) on private property with restricted access. Henri Castro, who colonized this area in the 1840s, envisioned irrigated farms along the Medina River. The project was delayed, however, until after ... 3418 Mission Valley Hondo City Park, S side FM 462 near entrance, E of Castro Avenue. Marker reported damaged (graffiti, needing repainting) Dec. 2006. Following Texas Emancipation in 1865, many freed slaves remained in this area on their former masters' farms. By 1869 blacks had organized a church ... 3506 Moye Fronts I-90 in Castroville on north side. Named for the Rev. John Martin Moye, founder (1762) of the Sisters of Divine Providence, religious order that opened school in Castroville in 1868, ...

15131 Natalia Natalia 3580 New Fountain United Methodist Church 2980 FM 2676 This region, known as Soldaten Kemp (soldiers' camp) for its history as a rendezvous point for frontier military patrols, freighters and others on ...

12538 Oefinger House 2.7 miles north of Quihi on FM 2676 This well-preserved example of late Victorian architecture was built in 1909 by Christian Oefinger (1861-1950), son of early German immigrant Andreas ... 3836 Old Wurzbach Place From San Antonio, about 12 miles Southwest on Potranco Road, from Potranco Road take CR 381 North at one mile. Built 1906 by H.F. Wurzbach, a rancher and Medina County Commissioner, 1915-1916. He planned house, featuring Colonial columns, banisters. His commissary, ... 17850 Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 15825 Bexar St. This church was established in 1911 after a petition to build a Catholic Church in Lacoste was made the previous year. Prior to this church, area ...

4178 Ranch Home of Charles De Montel 1.6 mi NW off De Montel Ln, private road Frontiersman, soldier, and engineer, came from Europe to Texas, 1838. Helped found Castroville and organize Medina County. Served as county judge; ... 15763 Renken Cemetery 816 Alsace St., S. of intersection of Gentilz & Alsace Sts. German native Henry Renken created this cemetery in 1876 upon the death of his wife, Lissette (Kueck) Renken. She was buried on property owned by ... 4299 Robert Lee Bobbitt There are 2 going each way in opposite rest areas. From Natalia, take I-35 about 1.5 miles northeast to rest areas. Robert Lee Bobbitt was born near Hillsboro, Texas, the son of Joseph A. and Laura Duff Bobbitt. He graduated from North Texas Normal College in 1911, ... 4359 Rothe-Rowe Ranch House On private property off FM 1796 On land bordering Fort Lincoln (garrisoned by U.S. Army, 1849-53) and Woll Road (travel artery, 1840s-80s), owned after 1860 by Fritz Rothe and brothers. ...

5040 Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Parish Hall, northwest corner of Avenue J and 22nd Street. Constructed of Seco brick in 1912, this is the second church structure to serve the Catholic community in Hondo. Designed by San Antonio architect ... 4606 Schuehle-Saathoff House Quihi community, off CR 4512 on private property. Map dot approximate. Henry Schuehle immigrated from Germany and purchased land near here. He owned this house, built in 1850. In 1900 the house was bought by S.H. Saathoff, ... 4794 Site of Fort Lincoln On private property off FM 1796 Established by the United States Army July 7, 1849 as a link in a chain of posts extending from the Rio Grande to Red River. Named in honor of Captain ... 4718 Site of Saint Dominic Catholic Church and Cemetery southeast corner of CR 5226 (Old Church Road) and CR 5221 (Old Cemetery Road) Congregation formed in 1847 with founding of D'Hanis Colony by settlers from Alsace, France. In 1853, when town became a mission parish, limestone ... 4933 Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro 1107 Fiorella Street, Castroville. Henri Castro (1786-1861), a naturalized American of French origin, befriended the Republic of Texas and became interested in settling here. In 1842 ... 4988 Southern Pacific Depot of Hondo 2202 Eighteenth Street, Hondo. The first rail line reached this area in 1881 and town lots were sold that year for Hondo City. The line was built by the Galveston, Harrisburg and ... 4997 Spanish Exploration in Medina County SH 173, 3 mi. N of Devine By 1531 Spain ruled present Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, half of South America, and much of the United States. The desire to claim new ... 5051 St. Louis Catholic Church Angelo, opposite Houston Square, Castroville. Planned, according to tradition, by the Rev. Peter Richard, pastor who came from Loire, France, 1868. First (1847-51) resident pastor, the Most Rev. ... 5052 St. Louis Cemetery 1200 Jackson Street (on hill), Castroville. This cemetery has served the Parish of St. Louis Catholic Church since the founding of Castroville in 1844. The original burial ground is outlined ... 5053 St. Louis Church Angelo Street, one of south block north from 90, Castroville. Built by Alsatian settlers of Castro Colony, in Republic of Texas. Dedicated by the Rt. Rev. John Odin, C.M., first Catholic Bishop of Texas, on ... 5054 St. Louis Day Angelo Street, out in front of St. Louis Catholic Church, Castroville. Since as early as 1847 residents of Castroville have conducted a community holiday on or about the 25th of August--the Catholic observacne of the ... 5140 Stroud's Blacksmith Shop 103 Herring Street, Devine. Joe Stroud (1877-1966) came here from Bigfoot in 1903, and established a blacksmith shop on this site, continuing in the craft learned from his father. ...

5365 The Joseph Meyer Homestead 800th block, Lower LaCoste Road, Castroville. Joseph (1803-87) and Katherine (Koos) Meyer, pioneers from Alsace, bought this 4-acre homestead in 1855. Except for a roadway, it remains as platted ... 5451 The Wiemers Oak Off CR 454 on private property The land on which this live oak stands was purchased by German migrant Johann Wiemers, who came here in 1854. The Rev. John Schaper held services ... 17434 Tomerlin Cemetery Go south from San Antonio through Devine on IH-35 to Moore-Yancy Exit (CR 462). Turn W on CR 462, 1 mi to CR 1660 (Frio Co. Road). Turn north on CR 1660 for 3.3 mi to gate on left side of road (CR 1660 becomes Medina CR 765 shortly before reaching the cemetery entrance). Go through gate .1 mile to cemetery gate (this right of way is CR 764 but is no longer fenced or evident). Washington Allen Tomerlin set aside this burial ground for his family and neighbors in what was at that time an isolated area of Medina County. The ... 5526 Town of D'Hanis southeast corner of CR 5226 (Old Church Road) and CR 5221 (Old Cemetery Road) Now Known as Old D'Hanis. Established in 1847 by 29 families under the leadership of Theodore Gentilz, representing Henri Castro (1781...1861), distinguished ... 5537 Town of Quihi At the dead end of CR 4520, across (south) from Bethlehem Church on FM 2676, Quihi. Surveyed in October, 1844, by Henry Castro, 1781-1861, distinguished pioneer and colonizer of Texas est. in March,1845. By ten families in charge ... 17435 Trimble Cemetery On frontage road of IH 35, 1.4 mi SQ of Benton City Rd on the edge of the town of Lytle. Edwin Trimble (1808-1869) left a properous life in Kentucky and brought his family to Texas in 1854, settling in this area following the Civil War. ...

18052 Vance Hotel and Store Landmark Inn State Historic Site Constructed in 1849 with local limestone, mortar and cypress lumber, this building includes elements of Alsatian domestic architecture found in Castroville. ... 5639 Vandenburg SR 173 4 miles northeast of Hondo Located on the banks of Verde Creek (Arroyo Verde), Vandenburg, founded in 1846, was one of the colonies established by Empresario Henri Castro. ...

12556 Yancey United Methodist Church 255 CR 743 Completed in 1925, this church building resulted from the combination of two neighboring Methodist congregations. Circuit-riding Methodist preacher ...

12327 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 1106 Fiorella St. Many of the German settlers who arrived here in the 1840s were Lutherans who kept their religious traditions by meeting for worship in their homes. ...