Castell, Texas
HISTORY
Welcome to Castell, Texas
Located In The Center Of Texas' Hill Country.
Castell, Texas is located in Llano County at the intersection of RM 2768 and RM 152, on the south bank of the Llano River, and began as an Adelsverein colony. Castell is the oldest settlement in Llano County and the only success of the five Llano County Adelsverein colonies. Castell, named for Count Carl Frederick Castell-Castell, the business manager of the Adelsverein, originally was on the north bank of the Llano River when founded in 1847.
(The other four Adelsverein colonies in Llano County were Bettina, Leiningen, Meerholz, and Schoenburg. Both Meerholz and Schoenburg were instant failures. Somehow Bettina and Leiningen managed to survive for about a year.)
A post office, established on the south side of the river in 1872, became the center of the community.
PHOTOS
Sights Around Castell, Texas
Ready to decorate your walls? Click 'Buy Now' below your favorites to see pricing and learn more.
MAMIYA 6 & ILFORD FP4+
No Trespassing Private Property
Castell, Texas is one of the few remaining settlements from the Adelsverein colonization of the Fisher–Miller Land Grant. Of the five settlements in Llano County, Castell was the only successful colony.
Did you know that Texas Germans spoke unique dialects of German?
MAMIYA 6 & KODAK TRI-X
No Trespassing Private Property, Again
Most heritage languages last for three generations, and Texas German lasted much longer. German was spoken as much as Spanish in Texas until World War I. Around the same time as the war, Texas mandated that all education be English-only, and by 1950 Texas German had practically stopped being passed on to new generations.
The closest thing to Texas German that most Americans are familiar with is Louisiana French.
Have you ever met anyone who spoke Texas German?
CANON EOS 3 & ILFORD FP4+
Dee Stor
Behind the Post Office and General Store in Castell, Texas, a refrigerated 53' trailer sat for years.
Do you think that when both doors are closed, the doors of the trailer say "DEER STORAGE"?
CANON EOS 3 & ILFORD FP4+
Road To Saint John Lutheran Church
The drive on Ranch to Market Road 152 outside Castell, Texas, is full of twists and turns and scenic views. Here's the view from the road in front of Saint John Lutheran Church and Cemetery.
By the way, Saint John Lutheran Church was built in 1926 and held services in Texas German until sometime in the 1950s.
Do you like to drive on winding roads?
