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

Rio Medina Store and Post Office

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

1. Rio Medina Store and Post Office Marker

Inscription. The first mercantile business in the community of San Geronimo, present day Rio Medina, was established in 1908. Alexander Boehme leased one acre for $1.00 per year for the purpose of building a store, originally named San Geronimo store, and adjacent dwelling. He also applied to Washington for a post office within his store. When the name San Geronimo Post Office was denied, the post office was renamed Rio Medina, and Mr. Boehme was appointed postmaster. The community and school, which had been called San Geronimo since the mid 1800's, eventually became known as Rio Medina. The store sold groceries, hardware, feed, dry goods, notions, and patent drugs, as well as offering banking services το customers. Electricity was supplied by a Delco gasoline generator until the mid 1930's. In 1908 the Medina and San Geronimo Telephone Company was founded and there was a switchboard in the San Geronimo store. Other establishments that soon followed were a saloon, dance hall, cotton gin, meat market and automotive garage. While the Medina Dam was under construction in 1911-1912, businesses enjoyed a boom. In 1916 Alfred Rihn

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became a co-owner with Alexander Boehme and was appointed postmaster. In 1928, Mr. Boehme sold his share of the business to Alfred Rihn. Mr. Rihn built a new store on the south side of the original building. This original San Geronimo store was restored in 1993.

Erected 2014 by Medina County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 29° 26.371′ N, 98° 53.04′ W. Marker is in Rio Medina, Texas, in Medina County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 471 and Farm to Market Road 2676, on the right when traveling north on Highway 471. The marker is located at the front entrance to the store on the left side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3980 FM 471, Rio Medina TX 78066, 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,

The Rio Medina Store and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

2. The Rio Medina Store and Marker

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Haby Settlement (approx. 0.9 miles away); Arcadius Steinle House (approx. 5.6 miles away); Cordier-Tschirhart-Seal House (approx. 5.7 miles away); Biry-Ahr Property (approx. 5.7 miles away); Dolch-Hans Compound (approx. 5.7 miles away); First County Courthouse (approx. 5.7 miles away); Louis Ferdinand Huth, Jr. (approx. 5.8 miles away); General Wool and the Chihuahua Road (approx. 5.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Rio Medina, TX. (Submitted on March 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Rio Medina Store from across the highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

3. The view of the Rio Medina Store from across the highway

The Rio Medina Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

4. The Rio Medina Store

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.