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| History
in a Pecan Shell
Castell
now has the distinction of being the oldest surviving settlement in Llano County.
Although the town is now on the south bank of the Llano River, it began on the
north bank in 1847. Castell was settled by German immigrants led by Count Emil
von Kriewitz. John O. Meusebach had chosen the land following the dictates of
the Fisher-Miller land grant. The towns namesake was Count Carl Frederick Castell-Castell,
business manager of the Adelsverein. Other "sister-settlements" included Bettina,
Leiningen, and Schoenburg - all of which failed to survive. A post office opened
on the south side of the river in 1872.
The local Methodist
and Lutheran churches date from 1852 and Castell remains a religious center
in Llano County. Most residents are descendants of the original settlers.
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Photographers'
Notes:
"It was a busy day in Castell the day we passed through. There
was a wedding in town and a family reunion at the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse
looks to have been recently renovated. People were cooling of in the nearby river
as well." - William
Beachamp
"The schoolhouse and church actually face
each other and are across the street from the general store. Apparently there
is a rooster at the general store, who is somewhat of a local celebrity. There’s
a sign outside that mentions it, and a Chicken Crossing traffic sign." -
Erik
Whetstone |
The
Old Castell Schoolhouse
Photo courtesy Erik
Whetstone, August 2005 |
Trinity
United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Erik
Whetstone, August 2005 |
St.
John Lutheran Church Historical Marker
Photo courtesy William
Beachamp, July 2011 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town/subject, please contact
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