The Castello Families of Colorado:  PPHS Facebook Page #5

By 1839 the James and Catherine Hughes Castello family were creating a home in Florissant, Missouri. His father, Michael, had been involved with politics so it was no surprise when James came to town he, too, began working with the Mayor and the Court, especially with French and English communication. At the same time, Catherine got into the Boarding House business and “mother business” as four children were born in ten years. The St. Ferdinand Catholic Church became their religious home (founded in 1789 & the brick building built in 1820) and as more people appreciated James’ leadership, he became the St. Louis County Sheriff in 1857. A couple years earlier, son Charles was 16 and got bit by the Castello mining bug and headed to the Central City, Colorado area to mine for gold in 1859.

 Shrine of Old St. Ferdinand

                                           From a calendar of “old Florissant” photos