Von Ormy on the Medina River

Von Ormy lies on the Medina River. Access is via exits 140 and 141. Check current access conditions before setting out, as the access configuration may change. Interstate 35 connects Von Ormy with downtown San Antonio, which lies about 15 miles northeast of Von Ormy.

Historical Points of Reference

An older transportation route ran along the Upper Laredo Camino Real: Von Ormy lies at its historic crossing point. This makes the site part of the history of both the route and the Medina River. The community was previously known as Medina Crossing; in 1886, postmaster Branson Bywater renamed it Von Ormy. Von Ormy is named after Count Norbert von Ormay. The two names preserve different connections: Medina Crossing was the former name, while the current name refers to Count Norbert von Ormay.

The history of the Texas Revolution is connected to a specific stay. General Santa Anna camped in Von Ormy before setting out on his final march to the Alamo. The Santa Anna Oak marks the site of the camp.

Herrera Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Santisima Trinidad Mission was founded on the ranch in 1836. Another architectural point of reference is The Castle on the Medina: a large Pennsylvania-style limestone house overlooking the south bank of the Medina River. These examples represent different historical questions: the ranch is notable for its register listing, the mission for its founding in 1836, and the Castle for its materials, style, and riverside location.

Church history also has a clear timeline. In the 1920s, the congregation of Santisima Trinidad Church moved to Von Ormy and founded Sacred Heart Church there. The 1878 bell from Santisima Trinidad Church was transferred to Sacred Heart Church. The timeline and the bell offer two different points of reference: the move took place in the 1920s, while the transferred object dates from 1878.

The railroad adds another connection between cities to the area's history. In 1881, the International-Great Northern Railroad built the first railway line between San Antonio and Laredo. The company also built a railroad bridge over the Medina River near present-day Von Ormy. The rail connection shifted the local economy from cattle ranching to cotton and winter vegetable farming. The line describes the broader regional connection, while the bridge and economic shift illustrate the local side of this development.

Discover more destinations: San Antonio, Universal City, Live Oak, Elmendorf

Go to the regional travel overview: Bexar.