Cameron Texas, Milam County seat. (original) (raw)
Pioneer cabin, left, Milam County Jail and Courthouse
TE Photo
History in a Pecan Shell
Nashville, Texas on the banks of the Brazos, had served as the seat of Milam County since the time Texas was declared a Republic. In April of 1846 the Texas Legislature authorized a commission to find a more permanent site for the county seat. These men bought sixty acres on the Little River that year and named the new town in honor of Ewen Cameron, surveyor.
Cameron's first courthouse was finished that same year and county records were transferred from Nashville. Alone on the prairie and fifty miles from the nearest railroad depot, early residents had an opportunity to become well acquainted with one another.
Attempts were made to navigate the Little River in the late 1840s and early 1850s. In 1850 one of these attempts proved successful when Capt. Basil M. Hatfield managed to bring his steamboat up the Little River to about 2� east of town. Cameronians rejoiced and a two-day celebration was held. Sadly, it was learned that only after heavy rains could a boat get through. Regular service was out of the question.
Cameron had other problems in the 1870s. When the International-Great Northern Railroad came to Rockdale, people started suggesting Rockdale as perhaps the best location for a county seat. Elections were held in 1874 and 1880, and Cameron scraped by on both occasions.
Finally in 1881 the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway arrived and Cameron felt secure. Ten years later the San Antonio and Aransas Pass came through. In 19th Century Texas there were two blessings. One would be having a hometown boy become Governor - and the other was to get a second railroad.
Before the railroads, Cameron only had 500 citizens. After the railroads arrived it was suddenly up to 800 and by 1892 the population had reached 2,000.
20th Century Cameron
Although cotton was the town's 19th Century economic engine, the 20th Century brought more diversified industries. Williamson County had discovered oil in 1915 so Milam County began their own exploration. It paid off in 1921 with "the Minerva-Rockdale field."
The building of the Alcoa aluminum plant in the 1950s revitalized the local economy, but recent environmental concerns have dampened enthusiasm.
Cameron lost its rail connection to Giddings in 1959 when the Texas and New Orleans railroad pulled out of Milam County and the Southern Pacific (in 1977) abandoned the rails connecting Cameron with Rosebud.
Cameron, Texas
Landmarks/Attractions
- Milam County Courthouse
The 1890 courthouse has been restored in recent years and the entire top (which had been removed as a hazard) has been replaced with an accurate (but lightweight) replacement.
National Register of Historic Places. - Milam County Jail
The former jail is now in use as the Milam County Historical Museum. - Cameron Pioneer Cemetery
Just east of town across the Little River is the Pioneer Cemetery - where earlier residents are interred. The city cemetery is now close to downtown, a stone's throw from the courthouse and jail. - Milam County Steamboat Landing
"Ben Milam, for whom the county was named, is one of Texas' legendary heroes, losing his life in San Antonio early in Texas' battle for independence." - Lou Ann Herda
Besides a collection of murals on downtown walls, there are also a few advertising artifacts. These Coca-Cola signs were painted over a five-county area by "Eddie and Monk" - when Cameron had its own Coca-Cola bottling works.
Ghost sign just east of the square
TE Photo, 2004
More Ghost Signs
Grain bins east of town
TE Photo, 2003
Masonic globes downtown
TE Photo
Hearne Hotel Old Photos:
Hearne Hotel circa 1870
Photo courtesy Tee Frank
"Attached are photos of the Hearne Hotel owned by Martin Hearne around 1870. He would be my great great grandfather on my mothers side. If you have any more information on this structure, the family or could direct me to additional websites, it would be appreciated. Thank You." - Tee Frank, November 24, 2013
Hearne Hotel
Photo courtesy Tee Frank
Hearne Hotel
Photo courtesy Tee Frank
Nearby Milam County Bridges
McGowan Bridge Over Little River, Cameron Texas
Click on image to enlarge
Vintage photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
McGowan Bridge Over Little River, a Family Gathering
Click on image to enlarge
Vintage photo courtesy Dan Whatley Collection
Photos courtesy Joe Williams
Sugarloaf Bridge of Milam County
... I discovered another metal truss bridge, or at least what I suspected was a metal truss bridge, that crossed the Little River in Milam County, approximately 40 miles from the Bryant Station location... The exact location is about � mile north of Gause on Farm to Market Road 2095, then north on County Road 264 approximately two miles. The road then crosses the Little River... more
1920s Milam County map
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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