Alsatian Immigration Through Lavaca Bay
Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Texas land empresario Henri Castro contracted to bring colonists of various European nationalities to Texas beginning in 1842. The first of these were Alsatians, most of whom spoke German and held German sympathies. They arrived at Galveston, their official port of entry, with 114 passengers from France in early 1843; most then sailed for Lavaca (later Port Lavaca). They waited here before beginning their overland journey to what became Medina County, to establish the town of Castroville. Another, largely Alsatian, group of 129 arrived at Galveston January 1, 1844. About 40 continued to Lavaca, landing on the 10th. Conditions were difficult, and many immigrants succumbed to various coastal fevers. Other ships followed in 1845 and 1846. Castro's contact expired in 1847, after he had transported more than 2,000 colonists to Texas, most through Lavaca Bay. (1999)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Empresario Henri Castro contracted in 1842 to bring European colonists to Texas, and the first—mostly German-speaking Alsatians—arrived through Galveston in 1843 before sailing on to Lavaca, later Port Lavaca. From there they set out overland to Medina County to found Castroville, though many succumbed to coastal fevers along the way. Ships continued through 1846, and by the time Castro's contract expired in 1847 he had carried more than 2,000 colonists to Texas, most of them through Lavaca Bay.
Why it matters
This gateway of European immigration shows how empresario colonization peopled early Texas with distinctive ethnic communities whose descendants still mark the state's cultural map.
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Related people
- · Henri Castro
Related events
- · Founding of Castroville
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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