Castroville

Castroville is a small city in Medina County, Texas, situated roughly 26 miles west of San Antonio along U.S. Route 90. The community sits in a rural setting and functions as a local center for the surrounding area.

The town was founded in 1844 by Henri Castro, who brought settlers from Alsace and Baden to populate his land grant along the Medina River. This founding shaped the town's character and remains central to its identity today.

Residents speak an Alsatian dialect that traces back to the 1840s, keeping their European roots alive in everyday conversation. This linguistic heritage shapes the local character and gives the place a distinctive cultural flavor that visitors notice right away.

The town sits on an easily accessible route and is a straightforward visit from nearby San Antonio. Visitors should know that this is a small, rural community where services are limited and having your own transportation is helpful.

The Steinbach House, originally built in Alsace between 1618 and 1648, was taken apart stone by stone and reassembled in Castroville in 1998. This reconstructed building now serves as a heritage museum and demonstrates how seriously the community values its European past.

Location: Medina County

Inception: 1844

Elevation above the sea: 231 m

GPS coordinates: 29.35000,-98.88330

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:11