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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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Photographer's
Note:
"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
Related
topics, stories & photos:
Texas | Online
Magazine | Texas Towns | Ghost
Towns | Hill Country
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