Historical Markers in
Medina County, Texas

Alsatians of Texas Arcadius Steinle House Battle of the Arroyo Hondo Bethlehem Lutheran Church Biry-Arh Property City Hotel Cordier-Tschirhart-Seal House Cow Camp Massacre on Hondo Creek D'Hanis Devine Evergreen Cemetery Devine Lodge, No. 590 A.F. & A.M. Dolch-Hans Compound Dubuis House F. Xavier Schmidt House Family Home of George T. Briscoe First Baptist Church of Devine First Church in Castroville First County Courthouse Fohn-Bless Store Fred Metzger House Gallagher Ranch House General Woll's Road General Wool and the Chihuahua Road Haby Settlement Henri Castro Hondo Hondo Methodist Church Ihnken Family Cemetery J. M. Koch's Hotel Judge Thomas L. Devine (1820-1890) Landmark Inn Leinweber Building Louis Haller House Masonic Cemetery of Hondo Valley Lodge No. 252, A.F. & A.M. Medina County Medina County Courthouse Medina Dam Mission Valley Mountain Valley Moye Natalia New Fountain United Methodist Church Oefinger House Old Wurzbach Place Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Ranch Home of Charles De Montel Renken Cemetery Robert Lee Bobbitt Rothe-Rowe Ranch House Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Schuehle-Saathoff House Site of Fort Lincoln Site of Saint Dominic Catholic Church and Cemetery Site of the Homestead of Henri Castro Southern Pacific Depot of Hondo Spanish Exploration in Medina County St. Louis Catholic Church St. Louis Cemetery St. Louis Church St. Louis Day Stroud's Blacksmith Shop The Joseph Meyer Homestead The Wiemers Oak Tomerlin Cemetery Town of D'Hanis Town of Quihi Trimble Cemetery Vance Hotel and Store Vandenburg Yancey United Methodist Church Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Texas random facts
Medina County, Texas, located in the southern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache, who lived off the land and traded with neighboring tribes.

In the 17th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the region, claiming the land for Spain. The Spanish established missions in the area to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and to further their control over the territory. One of the most notable missions was Mission San Francisco de la Espada, which still stands today and is a popular tourist attraction.

During the 19th century, the area that is now Medina County became a part of the Republic of Texas after it gained independence from Mexico. As more settlers moved into the area, the town of Castroville was founded in 1844 by colonists led by Henri Castro. The town became a major hub for German immigrants, and their influence can still be seen today in the town's architecture and cultural heritage.

Over the years, Medina County has experienced significant economic growth and development. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to an oil boom in the area, and agriculture has also played a significant role in the county's economy, with cattle ranching and crop farming being major industries.

Today, Medina County is a thriving community that celebrates its rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the area's historical sites, such as the missions and historic downtown areas, while also enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Medina County, Texas.

  • 1841 - Medina County is established as a county in the Republic of Texas.
  • 1842 - Castroville, the county seat, is founded by Henri Castro.
  • 1846 - Medina County becomes part of the United States after the annexation of Texas.
  • 1850 - D'Hanis, another town within Medina County, is settled.
  • 1856 - Hondo is founded and becomes the new county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - During the Civil War, Medina County supports the Confederacy.
  • 1881 - The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, boosting economic development.
  • 1917-1918 - Many Medina County residents serve in World War I.
  • 1920s-1930s - The Great Depression causes economic hardship in the county.
  • 1942-1945 - World War II leads to changes in the local economy and military service.
  • 1953 - Medina Lake is created with the construction of Medina Dam.
  • 1998 - The historic Medina County Courthouse is restored after a fire severely damages it.