History & County Seat

Hondo Became the County Seat After the Railroad Arrived in 1881

Hondo replaced Castroville as the Medina County seat in 1892, largely because the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway passed through Hondo, not Castroville.

Medina County History & Culture

The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway reached the county in 1881, and the town of Hondo grew around it. Voters moved the county seat from Castroville to Hondo in an 1892 election. The courthouse was completed in 1893 on land that the railroad's president had donated years earlier.

Hondo is still the county seat today, with a population of around 9,000. During World War II, it hosted an Army Aviation Navigation School. The county courthouse and government offices are based in Hondo.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Hondo, TX

More Medina County notes

Property Tax

Who Handles Your Property Tax in Medina County

Two separate offices handle your property tax: the appraisal district sets your value, and the tax assessor-collector sends the bill.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Tax Bill in Medina County

If your home is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the value used to calculate your property taxes.

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Agricultural Appraisal

Ag Valuation Can Sharply Cut Taxes on Rural Land in Medina County

If your land qualifies as agricultural, it gets taxed on its farming productivity value instead of its market value, which is usually much lower.

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Groundwater & Wells

New Water Wells in Medina County Require a Permit

The Medina County Groundwater Conservation District regulates new wells and requires permits before you drill.

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