Medina County Pioneer Homes Initiative

04/07/2026

Mark your calendars for April 16 🎉

Texas dance halls are headed to television.

Pictured: Host, Jay Pennington interviews TDHP Executive Director, Jean Spivey for segment in Gruene Hall.

After months of filming and travel, KLRN’s five-part series Texas Dance Halls: Still Swingin’ premieres on KLRN 9.1.

TDHP was glad to assist by sharing information and helping connect the production team with dance halls in their viewing area. We’re thrilled to see these stories and places featured for a wider audience.

Tune in Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., following On The Record with Randy Beamer.

Series Schedule:
March 26 — Twin Sisters Dancehall & Devil’s Backbone Tavern & Dancehall
April 2 — Gruene Hall & Martinez Social Club
April 9 — Anhalt Halle & Quihi Gun Club & Dance Hall
April 16 — Floore’s Country Store & Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon
April 23 — Luckenbach & Texas Star Inn

After airing, episodes will also be available at:
www.klrn.org/programming/klrn-originals/

Thank you to every hall, steward, and community member who helped tell these stories.

03/20/2026

Good info here for our community of homeowners, preservationists and real estate agents.

The City's Office of Historic Preservation has a certification program for real estate agents, though anyone is welcome to join in.

The program includes three classes and one exam.

Classes:
1. City Resources & Processes
2. Property Research or Wood Windows 101
3. Preservation in Action: Historic & Design Review Commission

We'll start our next series on Wednesday, March 25. 10 am to 1 pm, with a break for lunch. Our first class shares information about city resources and processes for working on properties designated historic. Learn some basic guidelines, historic architecture, and how to submit an application.
$30. or $60 for those interested in CE credit. The class is virtual.

Calendar of classes: https://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Events/realtor-training

Realtor Academy

02/22/2026

A look at several ongoing preservation and building projects in downtown Castroville where historic appreciation and careful craftsmanship go hand-in-hand.

Castro Colonies Heritage Association

12/09/2025

"The Castroville settlers, like most home builders throughout history, built 'in the vernacular,' meaning they constructed dwellings with the materials at hand and without the help of a trained architect." - Texas Highways Magazine

The state’s multicultural history shines through its architecture, from pre-Columbian adobe to Alsatian styles.

12/05/2025

The Brauer Hus (1869) is one of the many lovingly restored pioneer homes on this year’s Candlelight Homes Tour.

12/01/2025

Mary Anna and Jacob Groff stand with their youngest son and their dog in front of their stone farmhouse in Castroville, Texas circa 1910. Isn't this a spectacular Texas photo?

Courtesy UTSA's Special Collections library.

09/22/2025

Who is looking for an opportunity to preserve a classic pioneer home built in 1860? Here's your chance. Check it out.

This 960 square feet Single Family home has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It is located at 905 Lisbon, Castroville, TX.

09/19/2025

Meeting today with "The Courthouses of Central Texas" (UT Press, 2015) author and talented San Antonio architect Brantley Hightower about publishers, pitches and photography - and all things Castroville.

This project keeps trucking along and so many people are vested and excited to help bring the vision of a book to reality! We are grateful for everyone's support.

The county courthouse has long held a central place on the Texas landscape—literally, as the center of the town in which it is located, and figuratively, a...

09/12/2025

08/26/2025

Join us for our next webinar!
This webinar will explore the challenges of settlement and how Castroville grew into the community we know today. Perfect for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about Texas heritage, this webinar offers a fascinating look at the people and events that shaped one of the most unique towns in Texas.

https://bit.ly/45JJVp4