Castroville in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019

1. Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro Marker

Inscription. Henri Castro (1786-1861), a naturalized American of French origin, befriended the Republic of Texas and became interested in settling here. In 1842 he was given authority to establish a colony of Europeans in Southwest Texas. He succeeded in obtaining some land here on the Medina, from a 1766 grant made by Chares III of Spain. He recruited 485 families and 457 single men, mostly Alsatians. Using his personal wealth, he cared for the colonists as though they were his children. In 1844 he had the Castroville townsite platted, reserving as his homestead this block next to the courthouse site, in the center of town. He erected a stone dwelling and outbuildings, and planted an experimental garden, to discover crops suited to the locality. Bringing his wife Amelia (Mathias) and their four foster children from France, he lived here permanently. As a moral obligation, he continued to direct the state affairs for his colony, although it had impoverished him.

On the eve of a trip abroad when the Civil War was beginning (1861), Castro and his wife deeded the homestead to their adopted son, Lorenzo. Castro died at Monterrey, Mexico,

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soon afterward, and was buried there. Lorenzo sold the homestead in 1872.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4933.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 29° 21.381′ N, 98° 52.566′ W. Marker is in Castroville, Texas, in Medina County. It is on Fiorella Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1109 Fiorella Street, Castroville TX 78009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (a few steps from this marker); First County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in

Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019

2. Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro

The house visible in this photo is the stone dwelling mentioned in the marker text.

a direct line); Henri Castro (about 300 feet away); Dolch-Hans Compound (about 400 feet away); Cordier-Tschirhart-Seal House (about 500 feet away); Biry-Ahr Property (about 500 feet away); Landmark Inn Complex (about 700 feet away); Vance Hotel and Store (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castroville.

Also see . . . Castro, Henri - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.