Historic Courthouse

Medina County (Castroville City Hall)

Castroville, Texas

Built in 1854 and contractor Blasius Kieffer.

Plans for a new courthouse in Castroville were approved in march of 1878 and the construction contract awarded to Blasius Kieffer in August of that year. The building was designed in a rectangular plan with the longer of the four sides being the principle facades. The roof was gabled along the building's long axis with chimneys constructed centrally within the end walls and projecting slightly above the peak. Matching false gables were centrally placed above the buildings two longer sides. The building was constructed of limestone with a stucco finish with brick window hoods, string courses, dentil moldings and false gable trim. Entrances to the building were provided by double doors with three light transoms placed centrally on the primary facades on both the first and second floors. The configuration of the exterior stairs, which originally provided access to the second floor entrances, is unknown. It is also unknown whether interior stairs originally provided additional access to the second floor. Fenestration on the building consisted of two equally spaced six over six windows flanking the entrances on both floors of the principle facades, for a total of eight, and three per floor on the remaining two facades. All of the windows had exterior wood shutters. The second courthouse was finished on October 22, 1879. This structure was altered greatly as part of a W. P. A. project, but is still used today as Castroville's City Hall (History, p. 11). Alterations include, but are not limited to, the removal of the stucco from the building's principle facades, the addition of a stone double staircase to the front of the building to provide access to the second floor entrances, the reconfiguration of first floor windows on the primary facades from four to eight per side, and two one story stone additions constructed on the courthouse's two shorter sides.

Entry Stair and wings are not original. Altered circa 1936

Current status: City Hall

The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) nationally recognized and award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun restoring these treasured historic landmarks. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today more than 240 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

law courthouses buildings
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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.