CAST Tech Students to Honor History at Muertos Fest

Students will debut an ofrenda honoring Indigenous and historic San Antonio residents on October 23.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Hispanic

CAST Tech Students to Honor History at Muertos Fest

Live Poll

Does learning about local history increase your appreciation for your community's heritage?

CAST Tech High School students are preparing an ofrenda for the upcoming Muertos Fest. The installation, which will be on display from October 23 to October 25, 2026, pays tribute to the historic residents and communities that previously lived on the campus site.

Why it matters

The project serves as a bridge between modern students and the rich historical layers of the city. By researching their own campus grounds, the students ensure that the legacy of earlier settlers and Indigenous communities is preserved for the public.

The ofrenda features specific architectural references including the 19th-century Limestone House and the Newton House, which served as the residence of a San Antonio mayor in the 1870s.

The players

CAST Tech High School

This is a specialized downtown campus where students are currently documenting and honoring the site's historical background.

The details

The design of the ofrenda follows the discovery of historical layers during recent campus construction projects, which unveiled the Acequia Principio irrigation system. Students incorporated these findings into their altar construction, blending individual artistic talents with local history.

The Newton House served as a mayor's home during the 1870s.
Construction projects uncovered the Acequia Principio irrigation system in 2025.
The ofrenda will be displayed at Muertos Fest from October 23 to October 25, 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader trend of integrating local archaeological discoveries into modern public memorialization. It marks a shift where students take an active role in reclaiming and presenting the history of their own learning environments.

Residents attending Muertos Fest can visit the ofrenda to learn about the specific history of the downtown campus site. The project encourages the public to consider the layers of past residents, such as those who lived in the Limestone House, that exist beneath city streets.

The takeaway

This project highlights how students can transform academic research into meaningful community contributions. Residents interested in local history can use this example to look closer at their own neighborhood stories and origins.