Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Rainbow Courts Gets Recognition for Long History
Rockdale Reporter - 2016-09-22
Mike Brown - Editor
98-year-old motel to get marker on Saturday
PEDIGREE — Begun in 1918 by Nathan M. Bullock, Rainbow Courts was later owned by his
brother, Ira Benjamin Bullock, Joan’s grandfather. She and husband, Dan, purchased the
motel from her parents, H. N. “Speedy” and Marjorie Crockett in 1992.
Originally called a “tourist camp” in the lingo of the World War I-era, some of the
motel’s structures from the 1920s still stand, although they’ve been modernized through
the years.
Many celebrities have stayed at Rainbow Courts over the years.
Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing, paid for his night’s lodging with a record album.
Playwright Tennessee Williams spent a night there and Liz Carpenter, press secretary to
Lady Bird Johnson, was a frequent visitor.
HISTORY - Rainbow Courts was special from the start N. M. and wife Lenora Bullock opened
the business in 1918 as “Rainbow Tourist Camp,” named by Mrs. Bullock.
A student of Greek Mythology, according to family stories, Lenora was fascinated with
Iris, goddess of the rainbow.
Lenora Bullock even planted irises on the grounds, a yearly blooming reminder of how
Rainbow got its name.
On Nov. 12, 1931, the Bullock home at the motel burned to the ground and much of the
family history was lost.
But, like the mythological phoenix—an allusion Lenora Bullock would have appreciated—the
business rose from the ashes bigger and better.
By 1936 what became U. S. Highway 79 was upgraded and suddenly the Bullocks had a full-
scale U.S. highway running past their business.
Ira Benjamin (I.B.) Bullock moved from Breckenridge to Rockdale to help his brother run
the motel.
I.B., wife Algia and their children planted a garden and trees and built new cottages.
Algia arose every morning at 3:30 to cook their hungry tourist lodgers a breakfast of
eggs, ham, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade jam and more.
BOOM DAYS — The I.B. Bullock family ran the motel for more than four decades as it
acquired its lofty reputation.
In 1945 he purchased the 1880s-era Talbott Ridge schoolhouse, moved it to the site and
converted it into three guest cottages. It’s still there and still accepting guests.
An 1895 structure - dubbed the Carriage House, it was likely used for horsedrawn
carriages—became part of Rainbow Courts in the 1990s.
Alcoa came to town in 1951, ushering a period of growth for Rainbow Courts.
The Bullocks remodeled in the 1950s as the site grew to 52 cottages and the main office
was covered with Austin Stone veneer.
I. B Bullock died in 1970. In 1975, Algia sold the property to their three children.
Howard and Marjorie Bullock Crockett operated the motel until the Ratliffs purchased the
longtime business in 1992.
N. M. and wife Lenora Bullock opened the business in 1918 as “Rainbow Tourist Camp,”
named by Mrs. Bullock.
A student of Greek Mythology, according to family stories, Lenora was fascinated with
Iris, goddess of the rainbow.
Lenora Bullock even planted irises on the grounds, a yearly blooming reminder of how
Rainbow got its name.
On Nov. 12, 1931, the Bullock home at the motel burned to the ground and much of the
family history was lost.
But, like the mythological phoenix—an allusion Lenora Bullock would have appreciated—the
business rose from the ashes bigger and better.
By 1936 what became U. S. Highway 79 was upgraded and suddenly the Bullocks had a full-
scale U.S. highway running past their business.
Ira Benjamin (I.B.) Bullock moved from Breckenridge to Rockdale to help his brother run
the motel.
I.B., wife Algia and their children planted a garden and trees and built new cottages.
Algia arose every morning at 3:30 to cook their hungry tourist lodgers a breakfast of
eggs, ham, fried chicken, biscuits, homemade jam and more.
BOOM DAYS — The I.B. Bullock family ran the motel for more than four decades as it
acquired its lofty reputation.
In 1945 he purchased the 1880s-era Talbott Ridge schoolhouse, moved it to the site and
converted it into three guest cottages.
It’s still there and still accepting guests.
An 1895 structure — dubbed the Carriage House, it was likely used for horsedrawn
carriages—became part of Rainbow Courts in the 1990s.
Alcoa came to town in 1951, ushering a period of growth for Rainbow Courts. The Bullocks
remodeled in the 1950s as the site grew to 52 cottages and the main office was covered
with Austin Stone veneer.
I. B Bullock died in 1970. In 1975, Algia sold the property to their three children.
Howard and Marjorie Bullock Crockett operated the motel until the Ratliffs purchased the
longtime business in 1992.
.
All Credit for this article
goes to Mike Brown and the
Rockdale Reporter
goes to Mike Brown and the
Rockdale Reporter
Photo from 1920s ‘tourist camp’ days shows motel
Milam County Historical Society member Rev. James Brymer installs marker which will be officially unveiled in Saturday ceremony
Photos courtesy of Rainbow Courts and Rockdale Reporter
.