Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Cassinelli Gin House
Photographed By Tiffany Prentice, October 9, 2010
1. The Cassinelli Gin House Marker
Italian Stonemason G.B. Cassinelli and his partner John Taini were recruited in their native county by an American contractor who wanted them to construct buildings in New York. Shortly after their arrival in the United States, the project failed and they went to work for the railroads. Later, they were hired by the Federal Government to construct several stone buildings at Fort Clark in Brackettville. When that project was completed, they came to Del Rio to work on the Val Verde County Courthouse.Cassinelli became a successful area businessman. He owned a general store, a contracting firm, and sold wood, hay, lime, and brick. In 1903 he purchased land at this site for the construction of a cotton gin house. This two-story brick and stone commercial structure was built soon after. The ground floor housed Cassinelli's short-lived gin operation and the upper floor was used for community dances and receptions. Located near a ford of the San Felipe Creek and downstream from an ice house and dam, built by Cassinnelli, the gin house was a popular site for many early Del Rio social functions.
Interior alterations made in the
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Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5300.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 29° 21.199′ N, 100° 53.827′ W. Marker is in Del Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker is at the intersection of Pecan Street and East Academy Street, on the right when traveling south on Pecan Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Del Rio TX 78840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seminole-Negro Scouts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Perry Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roy Bean, C. S. A. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Taylor-Rivers House (approx. ¼ mile away); Brown Plaza (approx. ¼ mile away); Canal System of Del Rio (approx. 0.3 miles away); Max and Anna Stool (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mason-Foster House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Del Rio.
Regarding The Cassinelli Gin House. The Cassinelli Gin House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Photographed By Brian Anderson, September 5, 2021
2. The Cassinelli Gin House Marker
Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, April 21, 2019
3. The Cassinelli Gin House
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2010, by Tiffany Prentice of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,208 times since then and 163 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2010, by Tiffany Prentice of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3. submitted on May 16, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
