Historical Images of Castroville, Texas
Castroville is well-known for its old-world charm, complete with picturesque nineteenth century stone structures. Many of the town’s citizens are descendants of the original Alsatian settlers. A few still speak the Alsatian dialect of their ancestors.
Earlier this month, the town of Castroville celebrated the 170th anniversary of its founding. Speakers, at five historic sites, recounted the story of the people from Alsace who arrived at the site of present-day Castroville in September 1844. In addition to the presentations, the Alsatian Dancers of Texas and local bands performed for visitors. There were also numerous booths with arts, crafts, and historical displays.
UTSA Libraries Special Collections was among the exhibitors, showcasing copies of over 100 photographs of Castroville found in our collections. These are some of those images.
Laurent Quintle House and Store, circa 1940. (MS 362: 107-0035)
Wagon train pauses on Houston Square, circa 1900. (MS 362: 096-0537)
Castroville Brass Band, circa 1915. (MS 362: 081-0640)
Zuercher Millinery in Klappenbach Building, Madrid Street (Houston Square), circa 1900. (MS 362: 072-0877)
Joseph Courand General Store, Paris and Lorenzo Streets, early 1900s. (MS 362: 072-0875)
Tarde Hotel, Fiorella Street, circa 1940. (MS 362: 107-0027)
Ed Tschirhart (left) and Andy Halberdier, Tschirhart Blacksmith Shop, Paris Street (Houston Square), ca. 1905. (MS 362: 96-542)
Tondre Saloon, early 1900s. (MS 362: 077-0046)
Pierre Francois Pingenot House, Petersburg Street, circa 1940 (MS362: 107-0045)
Roberta and Lucy Hopp outside the Kieser-Pingenot House, Madrid Street, 1897. (MS 362: 109-0762)
Philip Wernette Saloon, Fiorella and London Streets, 1909. (MS 362: 109-0750)
Office of Anton Haller, justice of the Peace, in the Joseph Carle House and Store Building, Madrid Street (Houston Square), circa 1940. (MS 362: 107-0037)
Moye Military School, London Street, early 1940s. (MS 355: Z-0310-A-2)
St. Louis Catholic Church, with fresco work by Fred Donecker and son, 1902. (MS 362: 88-144)
St. Louis Catholic Church on Houston Square, 1951. (MS 359: L-4106-A)
The Top Shelf 
Great pictures. My ancestors were the Pichot-Pingenot. Enjoyed the pix of our house.Thank you for your work and time.
Hello…. I am the current owner of the P. F. Pingenot at 507 Petersburg…
I truly love and respect the house..
S. Bolyard
the Pichot family hosted a ceremony for my GG grandfather August Halbardier, who was born at sea aboard the L’Ebro, the first ship sent under Henri Castro. From what I read the families spent a month camped out at the Alamo on route to Medina County.
St. Louis Catholic Church just missed the opportunity to become one of Texas’ Painted Churches. The murals were still extant when I was married there in 1964.
So good to hear from you. The pictures are just great.Marian Tschirhart
I talked in alsacian to a Mr Tschirhart from Castroville who visited my village in Alsace in the ’80s
I, too, miss the beautiful murals above the altar. I attended St.Louis during my grammar school years.
would have been awesome to see side by side photos of then and now next to some of them. But this is awesome! Love history
http://www.visitcastrovilletexas.com there is a i-book available on that site that has just that
hope these go thru- great pictures
I graduated from Moye Military School, class of 1951 (1946-1951). Would like to hear from former cadets. ph 210 341-1210. Luis Arturo Jimenez
My name is Antonio Dieste and I was at Moye when you were there. I’m originally from Tampico, like Fred Laffan, our commander if you can recall. I used to live in Mexico City where I met the Gonzalez brothers that also were at Moye when we were there. I moved to San Antonio in 2010 and I’m still here. I tried calling you today but there was no answer. Call me if you can at 210-844-7604. Would like to hear from you.
Hello – I graduated from Moye Military in 1952 (?) as Capt. The Ret’d. Military officer then was Capt. Canty – the Coach was an old former US Army Cavalry soldier – and tough! I remember a few of the guys (without getting int he attic and digging through boxes) Chuck Pierce, Bill Stout, Bill Dietz -then back to Houston – Lubbock – Houston – Huntsville – La Porte – Connecticut – Temple – Belton
Patrick Callahan – Belton, TX (254) 933-3452
WE HAD ONE OF THE BEST FAST PITCH SOFTBALLLTEAMS IN TEXAS I PLAYED SHORT STOP IN 1956 CLAY INFIELD. LONG TIME AGO.
Hi great photos My GGG Grandfather was Joseph Courand (Jos Courand General Store Photo)
Gladys Courand – Washington DC