"Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to speak at Monday dedication of El Camino Real markers

Senator to speak at Monday dedication

Rockdale Reporter - October 4, 2012

Milam first county with historic trail signs

Milam County is used to making history but a Monday ceremony at Apache Pass will be a

first of a kind, even for Milam.

The National Park Service will unveil the first signs along the entire 2,500-mile El

Camino Real National Historic Trail at 10 a.m. at the historic crossing of the San

Gabriel River, eight miles northwest of Rockdale on FM 908.

U. S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will deliver the keynote address.

Hutchison has served as a U.S. Senator for the past 19 years. She did not seek re-

election in 2012 and will be in the final three months of her last term when she visits

the Rockdale area.

The entire trail, which stretches from Natchitoches, Louisiana to several points on the

Rio Grande, will eventually get signs denoting its historic significance but Milam

County’s are the first. The trail dates back to the 17th Century.

“Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Hutchison, and her introduction of Senate Bill 2052,

Congress designated El Camino Real de los Tejas as a national historic trail in 2004 as

part of the National Trails System,” trail executive director Steven Gonzales said.

Gonzales will participate in the ceremony along with the following:

• Dr. Lucile Estell, president, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historical Trail

Association.

• Cameron Boy Scout Troop 752, under the direction of Art

Free, retired lieutenant colonel, United States Army.

• Aaron Mahr, superintendent, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historical Trail.

• Dr. Terry Colley, deputy executive director, Texas Historical Commission.

• Carl Mica, board member, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historical Trail

Association.

• Dave Barkemeyer, Milam County Judge.

All credit for this article goes to
The Rockdale Reporter