Little Alsace of Texas
 Castroville, on US 90 about 30 miles west of San Antonio, lies on the Medina River. For a free visitor's guide (includes complete listings of events, restaurants, and accommodations), visit the Castroville Chamber of Commerce at 802 London St., or write to Box 572, Castroville 78009; 830/538-3142 or 800/778-6775; www.castroville.com. Castroville's area code is 830; the zip code is 78009. All sites are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted. Events Contact the chamber of commerce (listed above) for more details on the following events. St. Louis Day Picnic, held on the Sun. closest to Aug. 25 (Aug. 26, 2001), follows an early-morning Mass in historic St. Louis Catholic Church. A grand luncheon at Koenig Park features Alsatian-style sausage and barbecued beef ($5 per plate). Other highlights include food booths, music and dance on an outdoor stage, games, and contests. Old-Fashioned Christmas, held on the first Sat. in Dec. (Dec. 1, 2001), includes more than 150 craft and food booths, Christmas choirs, bands, and a visit from Santa Claus. Medina Valley Art Society Spring and Fall Shows, held twice yearly–3rd Sat. in May and 3rd Sat. in Sep.–feature exhibitions and sales of local art. El Camino Real Market Trails, held every 2nd Sat. except Jan-Feb, promotes towns along the northern route of the historic Spanish King's Highway. Castroville events include arts, crafts, and food booths; live music; and performances at Houston Square. Attractions Landmark Inn State Historical Park, 402 Florence St. The museum's displays and artifacts relate the history of the Monod/Vance store and nearby gristmill and cotton gin, Castroville, and the old San Antonio/El Paso Road. Other attractions include fishing, birding and butterfly-watching, interpretive programs, and guided tours (2 weeks' advance notice required). Hours: Daily 8-5. (A small research center opens by appt. only, Sun-Thu.) Admission: $1, free age 12 and younger and those who were born before Sep. 1, 1930. Write to 402 Florence St.; 931-2133; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/landmark/landmark.htm. Many of Castroville's historic buildings can be seen on a downtown walking tour (see the chamber's visitor's guide). Castro Garden Club Tours are available year round Mon-Fri by reservation with the Castro Garden Club at $10 person (minimum of 15). Guides conduct tours through 3 historic homes and St. Louis Catholic Church, discuss the area's settlement, and recount tales of local interest. Step-on tours (in these, a guide conducts the tour from a group's bus or van) are also available at $45 per group. Not all homes are wheelchair accessible. Write to Box 10; 931-2298. Shopping The Medina Valley Greenhouses nursery, northwest of town, sells plants from cactus to orchids, as well as statuary and custom ironwork. From US 90 in downtown Castroville, take Mexico St. north (later becomes Old River Rd.) for about 1 mile. The greenhouses lie in a scenic pecan grove; free parking available for both birdwatchers and shoppers. Partially wheelchair accessible. Write to Box 504; 931-2298. The Castroville Emporium, at 515 Madrid St., is in the historic Carle House and Store. The antique shop specializes in restored lamps and fixtures. Hours: Fri-Sat 9-5, or by appt. Not wheelchair accessible. Call 538-3115 or, for appt., 538-9768. Ima's Antiques, at 509 US 90 West, offers antiques and collectibles, reproductions, and gifts. Only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible. Hours: Daily 10-6. Call 538-3312. The Barnyard Peddler, at 309 Lafayette, is housed in a historic barn next to the Old Castroville Baetz Motel. This multi-dealer shop offers antiques, collectibles, and crafts. Hours: Tue-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sun 10-5. Not wheelchair accessible. Call 931-2525. Several meat markets offer Alsatian sausage and parisa (wheelchair accessibility varies; call ahead): R&R Alsatian Sausage & Products, 1034 Country Lane, 931-2430; Dan's Meat Market, 1303 N. Lorenzo St., 931-2049; Dziuk's Meat Market, 608 US 90 West, 931-3082; and Super S Foods, 408 US 90, 931-2116. Restaurants The Alsatian, at 403 Angelo (in an 1800s cottage), offers traditional French-German cuisine, steaks, and seafood. Hours: Lunch daily 11-2; dinner Thu-Sun 5-9. Call 931-3260. La Normandie, at 1302 Fiorella (in the 1850s St. Louis Society Building), offers traditional French cuisine from Normandy to Alsace, and European and American classics. Reservations recommended on weekends (and for large parties, at all times). Hours: Dinner Thu-Fri 5-9, Sat 5-10; buffet luncheon Tue-Sat 11-2, Sun 11:30-3. Call 538-3070 or 800/261-1731. Sammy's Restaurant, at 202 US 90 East, offers Mexican and American favorites. Hours: Sun-Thu 6 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri-Sat 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Call 538-2204 or 931-2206. Chantilly Cafe, at 309 Lafayette (in the Old Castroville Baetz Motel), features soups, salads, and specialty sandwiches (plus a full entrĂ©e on Sun.). Hours: Lunch Tue-Sun 11-3; dinner Thu-Sat 5-9. Call 538-2008. Larry's Restaurant and Bakery, at 810 US 90, features a complete breakfast menu, old-fashioned hamburgers, and more. Hours: Daily 6-3. Call 538-2595. Haby's Alsatian Bakery, at 207 US 90 East, sells breads, pastries, and cakes for special occasions. Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 931-2118. Accommodations Landmark Inn State Historical Park offers 8 rooms with furnishings from the 1860s to the 1940s. No TVs or phones; window A/C units. Continental breakfast. Rates: $55 and up. Only 1 guest room is wheelchair accessible. See previous entry for contact information. Le Parc Bed and Breakfast, at 1315 Lorenzo St., at the northeast corner of Houston Square, has 3 rooms, each with German-French decor. Noted for gourmet Italian and Belgian breakfasts. No smoking or pets. Adults only. Rates: $65-$75. Write to 1315 Lorenzo St.; 931-3934. Ihnken Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, at 1202 Gentilz, is near the historic district. The restored 1860s carriage house is furnished with American and European antiques. Rates: $110. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to 1202 Gentilz; 931-9276; www.castroville.com/ihnken. Haby Settlement B&B lies about 6 miles north of Castroville on FM 471. The century-old farmhouse offers 2 upstairs bedrooms and is available on a whole-house basis only for $95 per night. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to 3980 FM 471 North, Rio Medina 78066; 538-2441 (day) or 538-3911 (evening). The Alsatian Country Inn, on US 90 West, features scenic views of Castroville and the Medina River Valley from its hilltop location. Rates: $59-$74. Write to 1651 US 90 West, Castroville; 538-2262 or 800/446-8528. See the full article in the August 2001 issue. |
EVENTS CALENDAR
Search events by region
Click the map above.
