The Joseph Burell House located at 414 Florence Street is one of the earlier homes or structures in Castroville.  The Castroville Visitor Guide states the construction occurred circa 1845 while the local Chamber of Commerce historic designation states it was built in 1846.  The neighboring Burger House to the southwest is considered one of the earliest pioneer homes, having been built in 1844.  To its north is the circa 1873 Michael Kaufman house and 1849 Landmark Inn State Historic Site. 

Joseph Burell, Sr., a native of Altorf, Alsace, arrived in 1844 on the ship Jeanette Marie as one of the original Castro colonists. Burell sold the lot with house (probably a one-room structure) to Franz Wurzbach in 1857. Joseph Conrad purchased the property in 1863 for $655 and built additions to the house.

The Conrad heirs retained ownership until 1925 when Joe Lieber of Uvalde bought the property. The Fred Lieber family lived in the house until they died. Eric Sellers purchased the house in 1983, and in turn sold the property to Brooke and Al Allison of San Antonio. In 1996, the Wilsons purchased the property. Extensive repairs and improvements were made to the house, but the original structural features have been retained. The first part of the house is believed to be one of the oldest structures built in Castroville still standing.

In 2020, Carter Brown purchased the property and made extensive efforts to restore it to its original state using materials to replicate the period appearance.

The house represents a double-dwelling type built to the same plan and building materials as the Henri Castro House but on a larger scale and without a front porch.

In addition to the main house, there is a guest house, shed, stone well and a stone block with an unknown purpose.

Brown stated that due to the belief the home started as a single-room structure under Burell, the front three rooms must be examined to determine which likely stands as the oldest.

The historic home may be divided between the original mid-1800s limestone structure and the 1880s-1890s wood frame porch and kitchen. Third owner Joseph Conrad presumably built the rear wood frame additions and possibly one or two of the masonry walled rooms.

It is likely the porch and bath were one long screened porch room before alterations. The east kitchen wall door placement is based on studs revealed during restoration. (Further documentation and information prepared by Brown about the house and its restoration is available.)