castrocolonies.org

The organization was formed by a group of people who were interested in preserving the heritage of those who had followed Henri Castro to Texas in the 1840’s, settled Medina County and formed the first settlements of Castroville, Quihi, Vandenburg (later moved to New Fountain) and D’Hanis. Many other colonists destined for this area settled elsewhere and are scattered over South Texas.

One of the early projects of the organization was to identify and honor the early homes of the colonies that had been preserved and renovated. This project is ongoing today. The association erected a bronze plaque on the grave of Amelia Castro, wife of Henri Castro, who is buried in St. Louis Cemetery in Castroville.

CCHA successfully published “Old Favorite Recipes”, a collection of recipes and folklore which is presently in its fifth printing. The 1848 cattle brand of Henri Castro was located and incorporated as the CCHA official seal. Through the years the association has assisted with the organization of group tours to Alsace, France, and hosted many Alsatians visiting Texas and Medina County. Two Castro colonies were twinned with villages in Haut-Rhin, Alsace – Castroville with Eguisheim and D’Hanis with Niederentzen/Oberentzen.

In 1983 the association completed a two-year project by publishing the 600 page “History of Medina County”, which is in its third printing at the present time. As a Texas sesquicentennial project, the association reproduced an edition of Julia Waugh’s “Castroville and Henri Castro, Empresario”, originally published in 1934.

A major project of the folklore committee was completed in December, 1990, with the publication of Let’s Celebrate, a book of holidays and special days celebrated in Medina County, Texas. Recovering a priceless account of history , the association reprinted August Santleben’s “Texas Pioneer”, originally published in 1910. In 1999 Father Cyril Kuehne’s “Ripples from Medina Lake” was reissued through cooperation with St. Mary’s University and St. Francis Chapel at Mico.

Members of CCHA have participated in the Medina County Fair, the Folklife Festival at the Institute of Texan Cultures, Bastille Day celebrations in San Antonio and many other cultural events. The association was involved in and helped fund the sesquicentennial celebrations of three Castro colonies: Castroville in 1994, Quihi in 1996, and D’Hanis in 1997.

Historical Essay contests were conducted in Medina County High Schools for several years. High school students were funded to attend German music band camp at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. Scholarships were also made available to students to study French in college.

CCHA has sponsored the “Alsatian Dancers of Texas”, a folk dance group organized in 1980 with the help of the American Consulate in Strasbourg. A public address system was purchased for the dance group and the group was aided financially with their trip to New York in 1986 to celebrate the rededication of the Statue of Liberty.

Anyone interested in the purpose and activities of the CCHA is invited to join, whether a resident of Medina County, or of any distant community. Members receive four newsletters per year, and the quarterly meetings feature noted speakers and programs of unique interest.

If your roots are in Medina County, the Castro Colonies Heritage Association needs your membership and support!