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‘I was astonished by the beauty and simplicity of
those early Texas houses … They fit the land as naturally
as the trees.’ – Noted architect O’Neil Ford, 1930s
This site is a comprehensive catalog of the Castro Colonies pioneer homes and distinct architecture of Medina County, Texas.
While some of these houses have succumbed to the climate or progress, abandoned or forgotten, hundreds remain standing across the scenic fields and in the towns and villages of the Castro Colonies.
The pioneer houses of Medina County — whether restored, remodeled, adapted or in dire need of preservation — are tactile representations of simplicity in design and function, a major source of inspiration visible in the work of architects from the 20th century to today. Constructed by hand with simple tools and the resources of the land, their simple homesteads derive their form from a blend of rural French and Alsatian village architecture and materials found on the Texas frontier.
French Alsatian and German settlers began to arrive in Medina County, west of San Antonio, Texas, in the mid-1800s. Forming a colony established by Empresario Henri Castro’s 1842 land grant from the Republic of Texas, the settlers battled to survive amid the harsh Texas landscape.
Yet they persevered and built farms and livelihoods, families and homes. They thrived, leaving a rich cultural and historic legacy and a built environment that is today cherished by their descendants.
The Castro colonies are settlements established in South Texas by colonists primarily from France, Germany and Switzerland in the mid-1800s.
They include Castroville (est. in 1844), Quihi (est. 1845), Vandenburg (est. 1846 and later moved to New Fountain), D’Hanis (est. 1847) and others. The layout of these settlements was reminiscent of European villages with town lots surrounded by outlying farming plots.
Pictured at left: Castroville sellers
The immigrants who settled in the Castro colonies and what became Medina County brought with them their unique culture, language and distinct architectural style.
They adapted that style to the Texas climate and topography and built homes of rough-cut native limestone, sandstone or a combination of stone and timber, coating the exterior walls with lime plaster and the interiors with adobe.
Pictured at right: Haegelin House and structural remains.
Questions or comments about this site? Email castrocolonieshomes@gmail.com
