Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Sugarloaf, Apache Pass Approved for History Markers
Milam History by Joy Graham
Rockdale Reporter, February 7,2012
The Texas Historical Commission has notified Milam County Historical Commission that
two highly significant sites on El Camino Real de los Tejas Trail have been approved to
receive THC historic markers.
Apache Pass River Crossing application was researched and submitted by Dr. Lucile
Estell.
Sugarloaf Mountain was submitted by Joy Graham, Darlene Anglen, Mary Nell Neely, and
Elaine Baumann.
Both of these site markers are on the National Trail, Apache Pass on the upper route of
the trail and Sugarloaf Mountain on the lower route just north of Gause.
Draft copies of both inscriptions are being reviewed by the county historical
commission and will be dedicated this year.
Sugarloaf Mountain history dates back to the Ervipiame tribes’ dominant members that
were joined by the Tonkawa, Mayeye and Yojouane tribes that lived in a village known as
Rancheria Grande de los Ervipiame.
Early American settlers learned of the Indian Trails and used them when traveling.
Sugarloaf was an important landmark on the old road system.
Texas A&M Anthropology professors have made educational field trips with their classes.
Milam County Master Naturalists classes were held on the top of the mountain the past
three years.
The red capped sandstone mountain top suffered when land developers removed the mid top
of the mountain in search of Spanish gold.
The mystery of this mountain has lured history buffs and poachers looking for
treasurers for many years. Its natural beauty has suffered and has been protected by
the people living in that area of the county.
In 1994 members of the Tonkawa tribe, who were driven from the mountain to Oklahoma in
the early 1800s, approached legislators in Austin hoping to have the mountain become a
state park. All is not in vain, as Sugarloaf Mountain stands now helping to share a
part of history as a significant site on El Camino Real Trail in Texas.
The mountain is on private property and one must have permission to be on the property.
The property is posted.
maryjoy graham@yahoo.com
All credit for this article goes to
Joy Graham
and the
Rockdale Reporter
Joy Graham
and the
Rockdale Reporter