Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
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Rockdale Reporter
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Rockdale Reporter
New Book Is The ‘Reál’ Thing
Rockdale Reporter - November 6, 2014
Historic trail also has a history
“El Camino Real de los Tejas,” the new book by a trio of familiar historians, is 126 pages of photos and prose outlining one of the nation’s most famous “highways.”
The 2,500-mile trail, which ran from Louisiana to the Mexican border, was the main artery of transportation in the 18th Century “Mission Era” and beyond.
Authors are Steven Gonzales, the trail’s executive director, and Rockdale historians Joy Graham and Dr. Lucile Estell, board members. Dr. Estell is president and Graham is vice-president.
The Milam County section of the book focuses on more recent history, efforts to create the trail which went into high gear 10 years with its designation as a national historic trail.
Graham and Dr. Estell were in the forefront of that effort. Milam County led the way and was the first county to receive trail signs.
The book, part of the Images of America series, contains numerous photos depicting efforts in Milam, centering around the Apache Pass river crossing in the missions area, to make the trail a reality.
Signage in the Milam County portion of the trail was dedicated on Oct. 8, 2012, before a crowd of 1,000 that included many school children.
Speaker was U. S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was instrumental in getting national designation for the trail in 2004.
A historical market at Apache Pass was dedicated on Oct. 26, 2013.
“Much of this (ECR trail) history has lain hidden by the lack of a way—and perhaps the lack of a desire—to make it know..” Gonzales wrote in the introduction.
The book is available for purchase at Elements, 219 North Main—which was the site of a Tuesday book-signing (see below) —or online at Amazon.com.
Rockdale Reporter - November 6, 2014
Historic trail also has a history
“El Camino Real de los Tejas,” the new book by a trio of familiar historians, is 126 pages of photos and prose outlining one of the nation’s most famous “highways.”
The 2,500-mile trail, which ran from Louisiana to the Mexican border, was the main artery of transportation in the 18th Century “Mission Era” and beyond.
Authors are Steven Gonzales, the trail’s executive director, and Rockdale historians Joy Graham and Dr. Lucile Estell, board members. Dr. Estell is president and Graham is vice-president.
The Milam County section of the book focuses on more recent history, efforts to create the trail which went into high gear 10 years with its designation as a national historic trail.
Graham and Dr. Estell were in the forefront of that effort. Milam County led the way and was the first county to receive trail signs.
The book, part of the Images of America series, contains numerous photos depicting efforts in Milam, centering around the Apache Pass river crossing in the missions area, to make the trail a reality.
Signage in the Milam County portion of the trail was dedicated on Oct. 8, 2012, before a crowd of 1,000 that included many school children.
Speaker was U. S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who was instrumental in getting national designation for the trail in 2004.
A historical market at Apache Pass was dedicated on Oct. 26, 2013.
“Much of this (ECR trail) history has lain hidden by the lack of a way—and perhaps the lack of a desire—to make it know..” Gonzales wrote in the introduction.
The book is available for purchase at Elements, 219 North Main—which was the site of a Tuesday book-signing (see below) —or online at Amazon.com.
Above: Mescalaro Apache Chief Joseph “Standing Bear” Morales officiated in dedication of prayer circle at Apache Pass in February, 2005.
Left: Joe Ochoa (L) and Ray Ochoa gave program on daily life for Apaches during 2013 marker dedication.
Right: the late archaeologist Dr Kathleen Gilmore excavated mission in 1967, visited area many times, the last at age 94.
Below right: Markers along trail northwest of Rockdale denoted locations of three 18th Century Spanish missions.
Right: the late archaeologist Dr Kathleen Gilmore excavated mission in 1967, visited area many times, the last at age 94.
Below right: Markers along trail northwest of Rockdale denoted locations of three 18th Century Spanish missions.
Co-authors Lucille Estel and Joy Graham signed autographs at Elements at Main Tuesday.
Photo by Garrett Muston
Photo by Garrett Muston
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From left, authors of new book, Steven Gonzales, Joy Graham and Dr. Lucile Estel
Photos by Mike Brown