Castroville, Texas is renowned for its distinct cultural heritage and European charm. The town, affectionately known as the "The Little Alsace of Texas," was established in 1844 by Henri Castro. It was originally settled primarily by farmers and tradespeople from the Alsace region of France.
Castroville celebrates the diverse cultures that have joined over generations, creating a charming atmosphere where families come to stay. The town of 3,000 residents now has a lively business district with some businesses dating back to the 1850s. A lively downtown, ample outdoor recreation, community events and amenities, Castroville stands out as a delightful, historically significant town in the San Antonio region.
Tell us a little about the City of Castroville.
While most modern neighborhoods have been designed to be places for people to sleep, Castroville was designed to be a place for people to live. It is renowned for its distinct cultural heritage and picturesque charm. Known as "The Little Alsace of Texas," the town honors its Alsatian roots in various ways, while celebrating additional cultures who have moved in over the generations. With its quaint atmosphere and cultural pride, Castroville stands out as a charming town with a touch of European influence. Texas Hill County Magazine states, “this delightful Texas town… is one of the most historically significant towns in the state.”
Castroville boasts several businesses that have endured the test of time, including the Tarde Hotel (1852), Rainbow Theater (1943), Sammy’s Restaurant (1948), Haby’s Alsatian Bakery (1974), Dzuik’s Meat Market (1975), and Hillside Boutique Hotel (1985).
The Historic downtown business district has come alive with several new tenants, including Blu Lacey (a 2M Smokehouse restaurant), Baked (French bakery), Rockin’ Tapas, Castroville Café, Salude Wine Bar, Firebrand Pottery, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, the Dough Station Pizza, Magnolia Filling Station Coffeehouse, All Local Grocery and Goods and many more.
What makes Castroville unique within the San Antonio region?
Established in 1844 by Henri Castro as the gateway from San Antonio to the Castro Colonies and nestled into the cypress-lined Medina River, Castroville is the last remaining French settlement in Texas. It was originally settled primarily by farmers and tradespeople from the Alsace region in France. The most unique characteristic of this close-knit community is that so many of the residents in the area trace their ancestry back to the founding families and have close ties with their distant relatives in Alsace. Even beyond the founding families, Castroville is a place where families come and stay for generations, and they have personally invested in so many of the amenities that make Castroville such a great place to live.
The community is proud to have worked together over the generations to build so many things to do. For aviators, the Castroville Regional Airport remains a highly sought after B-II General Use Airport for both locals and visitors, and is already home to corporate jets and personal planes. In addition to the 45 enclosed single hangers, three large hangars, and a set of open T-hangers it boasts 458 additional developable acres on Airport Property. For those who love the outdoors, the 126 acre Castroville Regional Park, on the banks of the Medina River, is home to over 160 species of birds, lighted sports fields, pavilions and tables, an amphitheater, a wonderful pool and community center, and nearly 5 miles of hiking trails. Lion’s Park has a competition soccer field, a baseball field, and a newly installed splash pad directly adjacent to the elementary school. You’ll find youth sports are a part of everyday life in Castroville, with public facilities for soccer, baseball, swimming, diving, and running.
It is a community where people value spending time with friends, family and neighbors. Every month, and sometimes more often than that, you will find community events where dozens to hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly to create a welcoming atmosphere of joy and events for the whole family.
A quote you’ll hear often came from Henri Castro, himself, “We begin each day with work and we end it with laughter.”
What makes your community a great place for businesses to locate?
Castroville is located on US90 7 miles west of San Antonio and only 20 miles from the Riverwalk. It is located in the superior rated Medina Valley ISD. Between Castroville and San Antonio, there are currently over 14,000 new homes in some stage of development, with a population of over 120,000 within 10 miles of city limits. Although the current city population is just over 3,000, we currently have nearly 2,000 new homes and dozens of new businesses approved through development agreements. On our borders, we have nearly 2,000 acres of available property and thousands of acres of historical family farmland that will remain undeveloped open green space. The city is working diligently to develop as a city that is walkable, filled with environmentally friendly open spaces, and has commercial services that the community can enjoy - a place where families can grow and contribute to the community.
The city, county, school district, emergency services district, and hospital district work closely to ensure that businesses that enhance the area through prosperity, jobs, and services have obstacles cleared and expedited and predictable construction processes.
One remarkable area of success in this area is several hyper-scale data centers have recently located in the area. The city is actively recruiting these and welcoming other beneficial businesses who want to help enhance our community.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Castroville is the type of community that families love. There is so much to do, and so many opportunities to help continue to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of the community, it’s a really great place where people can really feel like they belong.
In contrast to the larger urban landscape of San Antonio, Castroville offers a quaint and charming escape, providing visitors and citizens a distinct cultural experience within the broader Texan context.