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

Vance Hotel and Store

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019

1. Vance Hotel and Store Marker

Inscription.

Constructed in 1849 with local limestone, mortar, and cypress lumber, this building includes elements of Alsatian domestic architecture found in Castroville. The 18-inch-thick walls were originally coated with a whitewashed lime plaster, while split cypress shingles covered the gabled roof. It was first a house, store, and post office for Swiss merchant Caesar Monod. By the 1860s, John and Rowena Vance added a wing for the store and a second story for guest rooms. The Vance Hotel, with a nearby bath house and kitchen, gave comfort to travelers on the Eagle Pass - San Antonio road.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965

Erected 1965 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18052.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 29° 21.298′ N, 98° 52.475′ W. Marker is in Castroville, Texas, in Medina County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Florence Street, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 90. The marker is located near the parking lot of the Landmark Inn State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Florence Street, Castroville TX 78009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in 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

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within walking distance of this marker: Landmark Inn Complex (here, next to this marker); Henri Castro (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (about 700 feet away); Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro (about 700 feet away); First County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dolch-Hans Compound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cordier-Tschirhart-Seal House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dubuis House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castroville.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019

2. Vance Hotel and Store Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.