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Castell
Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone August 2005 |
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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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The
old Schoolhouse in Castell
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone August 2005 |
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The
General Store
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone August 2005 |
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 |
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