Castroville in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Landmark Inn Complex
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019
1. Landmark Inn Complex Marker
These limestone structures along the Eagle Pass - San Antonio road at the Medina River ford were once centers of trade, travel, industry, and domestic life. Alsatian colonist Michel Simon settled here in 1844, followed by Caesar Monod, who built a one-story home and store with a separate kitchen in 1849. Within two decades, John and Rowena Vance had converted Simon's home into a wash house, built a new residence, and enlarged the store to include a two-story hotel. A mill was built on the river in 1854, which Joseph Courand modernized after 1876 and J. T. Lawler used for hydroelectricity after 1925. Ruth Lawler kept the tradition of hospitality at her "Landmark Inn” before deeding it to the State in 1974.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1965
Erected 1965 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3031.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 29° 21.299′ N, 98° 52.478′ W. Marker is in Castroville, Texas, in Medina County. Marker 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 area of the Landmark
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vance Hotel and Store (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.
Also see . . . Landmark Inn State Historic Site - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on February 27, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Photographed By Brian Anderson, February 17, 2019
2. Landmark Inn Complex
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
