Medina County was founded in 1848 by settlers from Europe and the eastern United States. At the time; Native Americans still lived on that land; which they called �Comancheria.� Full of hope for a better life; settlers tamed an unfamiliar landscape that was filled with prickly pear cactus; rattlesnakes; coyotes; mountain lions; bison; armadillos; pecans; persimmons; and mustang grapes. The first settlements in Medina County were Castroville; Quihi; Vandenburg; and D�Hanis. New Fountain; New D�Hanis; LaCoste; Rio Medina; Hondo; and others were established later. The settlers worked hard growing cotton and grain and raising cattle; and they retained their old-world customs and religious faith in the face of many challenges. With the building of the Medina Dam; farming changed for the better; and new immigrants arrived to help establish schools and communities. Today the proximity to San Antonio allows people to work in the city while maintaining their homes; farms; and ranches in Medina County.
#2228930 in eBooks 2005-07-06 2005-07-06File Name: B009CD18J8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great photographs!By JaneMy first memories are of our house behind a drying shed on the edge of Morgan Hill. It was in the middle of a eucalyptus grove - I can still smell it. And the smell of drying prunes and apricots. I suspect it is all gone now. but the photos bring me back.Only wish there was more history of that time in the book (early 1950s). It is a wonderful collection of pictures but not enough text for my needs.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great example of local history writingBy J. R. LavinAs an ardent reader of western history from the time of Lewis and Clark I am always on the lookout for local historic publications that cover the details you dont find in the history books. This one is especially delightful because of the number of pictures that accompany the writing. It covers the original settelment of the area in the 1840s through the 1980s and is well written and a quick read with only 128 pages. I found myself smiling regularly as I read the stories and viewed the accompanying pictures. I especially liked the 1916 Womens Temperance Union photo as an example of the times. I enjoyed the whole trip. Thank you U.R. Sharma and the Morgan Hill Historic Society.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fun to read throughBy Paul EllsworthI grew up in Morgan Hill. so this was a fun book to read through ... looking at the pictures. learning the history of some of the important families. etc.
