Cassinelli Gin House

Introduction

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Although simple in appearance, this two-story building has an interesting past. It was built in 1908 by Italian native Giovanni Batista Cassinelli, who was a skilled stonemason and a prominent figure in Del Rio in the early 20th century. The building was meant to be functional and is a well-preserved example of building techniques using bricks and stones from the period. Cassinelli operated a cotton gin on the first floor and hosted community events on the second floor. The old building appears to currently be a private residence. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

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The Cassinelli Gin House was built in 1908 by Giovanni Batista Cassinelli

Backstory and Context

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When Cassinelli immigrated to the United States is unclear but he first arrived in New York City with his partner, John Taini. An American contractor hired them to erect buildings in the city but this plan ultimately failed. They found jobs working for the railroads before constructing stone buildings at Fort Clark in the town of Bracketville, which is located east of Del Rio. Next, they built the Val Verde Courthouse and both remained when after it was completed in 1887.

Cassinelli opened a general store and continued to work as a stonemason. He bought the land on which the Gin House now stands in 1903. During the last 20 years of the 1800s, the cotton industry was thriving, which is likely why Cassinelli decided to build it. However, the venture eventually failed due to competition and other issues. Even so, the community gathered for events on the second floor until the late 1920s. The second floor was converted into an apartment in the 1930s but the building was later converted into a single residence in 1953.

Sources

Elswick, Danial. "Cassinelli Gin House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 4, 1986. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/40973875/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_TX/86002188.pdf.

"The Cassinelli Gin House." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed October 5, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=36895.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

The Historical Marker Database

Additional Information

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Cassinelli Gin House