Castroville in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ihnken Family Cemetery
Photographed By James Hulse, March 1, 2022
1. Ihnken Family Cemetery Marker
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 Gerhard married Marie Jeanne Pichot on October 22, 1846. The Pichot family arrived on the first of Henri Castro's ships. Though they originally intended to return to France, the Pichot family remained in Texas after Marie Jeanne's father, Jean Nicolas, died of complications after a rattlesnake bite.Major civic leaders in early Castroville, the Ihnkens were farmers who raised cattle and owned and operated a sawmill, a store, and a fruit orchard on their vast lands. Particularly remembered for his agricultural contributions, Gerhard is said to have brought the first reaper and the first binder to the Castroville area.
One of the oldest cemeteries in Medina County, the Ihnken family plot contains eight family members in marked graves; several others are unknown. Marie Becker Ihnken is one of the few older Castro colonists whose grave is still marked. A freedman employed by Gerhard Ihnken is said to be buried in the cemetery. To avoid disturbing unmarked graves, the cemetery has
Photographed By James Hulse, March 1, 2022
2. The Ihnken Family Cemetery and Marker
this page online
Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12151.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1846.
Location. 29° 20.71′ N, 98° 52.924′ W. Marker is in Castroville, Texas, in Medina County. Marker is at the intersection of Alsace Avenue and Gentilz Street, on the left when traveling east on Alsace Avenue. The marker is located across from the Castroville Regional Park on Alsace Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 816 Alsace Avenue, Castroville TX 78009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Renken Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe and Gertrude Hoog (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lest We Forget!!! (about 500 feet away); Indian History in These Hills (approx. Ό mile away); Medina Lake & The Canal System (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cross Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Louis Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); F. Xavier Schmidt House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castroville.
Photographed By James Hulse, March 1, 2022
3. The view of the Ihnken Family Cemetery and Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
