BlockBefore

Milam County, Texas

63 topographic sheets cover 55 settlements here, and 5 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

5 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Milam County within Texas

What the record shows

  • 613 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 5 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 buildings.
  • 2 of the 5 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 55 populated places in this county; 55 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

5

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Dr. Nathan and Lula Cass Housebuilding199191000037
International & Great Northern Railroad Passenger Depotbuilding200606000824
Milam County Courthouse and Jailbuilding197777001460
Milam County Courthouse and Jailbuilding197777001460
R.F. and Minta Pool Housebuilding201414000403

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

1

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1879 - Map of Milam County, Texas
Land ownership map (1879) - Map of Milam County, Texas. Library of Congress.

Photographs from libraries nationwide

6 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 6 image records catalogued for this county. Every one shown here carries a public-domain status or a licence that permits reuse on a site that carries advertising; non-commercial, share-alike and restricted images are excluded. The selection is spread across the county's towns (at most eight per town), so no single institution's bulk upload crowds out the rest. Each opens the holding library's record, and the complete set at the Digital Public Library of America is one click away.

Cameron Country Club, Cameron, Texas, Boston Public Library - undated
Cameron Country Club, Cameron, Texas. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
St. Edward Hospital in Cameron, Texas, Boston Public Library - undated
St. Edward Hospital in Cameron, Texas. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Cameron Saddle Club on parade in Cameron, Texas., Boston Public Library - undated
Cameron Saddle Club on parade in Cameron, Texas.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Milam County Courthouse in Cameron, Texas. County seat of matchless Milam County., Boston Public Library - undated
Milam County Courthouse in Cameron, Texas. County seat of matchless Milam County.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Ledbetter Lake located in Ledbetter Park in Cameron, Texas. Park provides other recreational facilities including city's Municipal Swimming Pool and Rodeo Arena., Boston Public Library - undated
Ledbetter Lake located in Ledbetter Park in Cameron, Texas. Park provides other recreational facilities including city's Municipal Swimming Pool and Rodeo Arena.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Modern Ben Milan Elementary School in Cameron, Texas., Boston Public Library - undated
Modern Ben Milan Elementary School in Cameron, Texas.. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.

The county from the air

48 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 1,807 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 48 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-12, scale 1:69000
1952-12-12, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-12, scale 1:69000
1952-12-12, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-25, scale 1:69000
1953-01-25, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-25, scale 1:69000
1953-01-25, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-25, scale 1:69000
1953-01-25, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-25, scale 1:69000
1953-01-25, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-22, scale 1:34000
1955-03-22, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-05-01, scale 1:12500
1956-05-01, scale 1:12500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-05-01, scale 1:12500
1956-05-01, scale 1:12500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-05-01, scale 1:12500
1956-05-01, scale 1:12500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-05-01, scale 1:12500
1956-05-01, scale 1:12500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-02-26, scale 1:17300
1960-02-26, scale 1:17300. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-09, scale 1:17300
1960-03-09, scale 1:17300. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-09, scale 1:17300
1960-03-09, scale 1:17300. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-17, scale 1:17500
1960-03-17, scale 1:17500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-09-15, scale 1:16500
1962-09-15, scale 1:16500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-09-15, scale 1:16500
1962-09-15, scale 1:16500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-09-15, scale 1:16500
1962-09-15, scale 1:16500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-09-15, scale 1:16500
1962-09-15, scale 1:16500. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-01-24, scale 1:17700
1963-01-24, scale 1:17700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-01-24, scale 1:17700
1963-01-24, scale 1:17700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-01-24, scale 1:17700
1963-01-24, scale 1:17700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1963-01-24, scale 1:17700
1963-01-24, scale 1:17700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-11-18, scale 1:62198
1970-11-18, scale 1:62198. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-11-20, scale 1:119487
1970-11-20, scale 1:119487. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-11-20, scale 1:119487
1970-11-20, scale 1:119487. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-11-20, scale 1:119487
1970-11-20, scale 1:119487. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-11-20, scale 1:121026
1971-11-20, scale 1:121026. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-11-20, scale 1:121026
1971-11-20, scale 1:121026. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-11-20, scale 1:121026
1971-11-20, scale 1:121026. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-11-20, scale 1:121026
1971-11-20, scale 1:121026. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-04-18, scale 1:121942
1972-04-18, scale 1:121942. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-04-18, scale 1:123116
1972-04-18, scale 1:123116. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-04-18, scale 1:120449
1972-04-18, scale 1:120449. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-04-18, scale 1:120449
1972-04-18, scale 1:120449. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:25600
1974-04-01, scale 1:25600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:25600
1974-04-01, scale 1:25600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:25600
1974-04-01, scale 1:25600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1974-04-01, scale 1:25600
1974-04-01, scale 1:25600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-12-01, scale 1:80000
1976-12-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-12-01, scale 1:80000
1976-12-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-12-01, scale 1:80000
1976-12-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-02-28, scale 1:65000
1982-02-28, scale 1:65000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-02-28, scale 1:65000
1982-02-28, scale 1:65000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-02-28, scale 1:64000
1982-02-28, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-02-28, scale 1:64000
1982-02-28, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1990-01-08, scale 1:25000
1990-01-08, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1990-01-08, scale 1:25000
1990-01-08, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

43 stations, 9 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

41 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 166-1Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city: Cameron city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; E. 23rd, W. 23rd; N. Travis, Cameron - Waco Rd.
  • 166-2Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by City limits; Cameron - Waco Rd., N. Travis; W. 3rd; San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway
  • 166-3Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by City limits; San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway; W. 3rd; City limits
  • 166-4Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by W. 23rd, E. 23rd; City limits; Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, E. 11th, Milam, E. 3rd; N. Travis
  • 166-5Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by W. 3rd, E. 3rd, Milam, E. 11th; Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway; San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway
  • 166-6Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by W. 3rd; San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway; City limits; City limits
  • 166-7Justice Precinct 1: Cameron city - That part Bounded by Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway; City limits; City limits; San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway
  • 166-8Justice Precinct 1 - That part east of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Cameron city
  • 166-9Justice Precinct 1 - That part north Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, and west of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Cameron city
  • 166-10Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, west of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, and North of Little River, outside Cameron city
  • 166-11Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Little River
  • 166-12Justice Precinct 2: Justice Precinct 2 - That part north of Pond Creek and east of Hog Creek
  • 166-13Justice Precinct 2 - That part west of Hog Creek and north of Pond Creek
  • 166-14Justice Precinct 2 - That part west of Pond Creek and New Clarkson - Jones Prairie Rd. and north of Cameron - Jones Prairie Rd.
  • 166-15Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of Pond Creek, north of Jones Prairie - Cross Roads - Calvert Rd., and east of Jones Prairie - New Clarkson Rd.
  • 166-16Justice Precinct 2 - That part southeast of Jones - Prairie - Cross Roads - Calvert Rd., north of U.S. Highway 190, and east of Harl Creek
  • 166-17Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of Cameron - Jones Prairie Rd. and west of Harl Creek
  • 166-18Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of U.S. Highway 190 and east of Harl Creek
  • 166-19Justice Precinct 3: Justice Precinct 3 - That part northwest of International & Great Northern Railroad and north of Cameron - Hanover - Gause Rd.
  • 166-20Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of the Hanover - Gause Rd., northwest of International & Great Northern Railroad and east of Milano - Liberty Hanover Rd.
  • 166-21Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Cameron - Hanover Rd., west of Hanover - Liberty - Milano Rd., and north of International & Great Northern Railroad
  • 166-22Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of International & Great Northern Railroad and west of Gause - Caldwell Rd.
  • 166-23Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of International & Great Northern Railroad and east of Gause - Caldwell Rd.
  • 166-24Justice Precinct 4: Rockdale city: Rockdale city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; U.S. Highway 79; U.S. Highway 77
  • 166-25Justice Precinct 4: Rockdale city - That part Bounded by City limits; U.S. Highway 77; U.S. Highway 79; City limits
  • 166-26Justice Precinct 4: Rockdale city - That part Bounded by U.S. Highway 79; City limits; City limits; City limits
  • 166-27Justice Precinct 4 - That part north of International & Great Northern Railroad, outside Rockdale city
  • 166-28N/A
  • 166-29Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of International & Great Northern Railroad and East of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Rockdale city
  • 166-30Justice Precinct 5: Justice Precinct 5 - That part north and east of Davilla - Lilac- Buckholts Rd.
  • 166-31Justice Precinct 5 - That part south and west Davilla - Lilac - Buckholts Rd. and north of Alligator Creek
  • 166-32Justice Precinct 5 - That part south of Alligator Creek
  • 166-33Justice Precinct 6: Justice Precincts 6 - That part northeast of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway
  • 166-34Justice Precinct 6 - That part southwest of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway
  • 166-35Justice Precinct 7: Justice Precinct 7 - That part east of Texas and New Orleans Railroad
  • 166-36Justice Precinct 7 - That part west of Texas & New Orleans Railroad and northeast of Yarrelton - Wokaty - Splawn Rd.
  • 166-37Justice Precinct 7 - That part southwest of Yarrelton - Wokaty - Splawn Rd. and west of Texas and New Orleans Railroad
  • 166-38Justice Precinct 8: Thorndale town
  • 166-39Justice Precinct 8 - That part north of International & Great Northern Railroad, outside Thorndale town
  • 166-40Justice Precinct S - That part south of International & Great Northern Railroad and north of Conoley - Salty - Sandow Rd., outside Thorndale town
  • 166-41Justice Precinct 8 - That part south of Conoley - Salty - Sandow Rd.

Wildfire, 2000 to 2020

571 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 571 of them, burning about 6,623 acres. 9 started naturally and 8 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning236
Equipment and vehicle use150
Missing data/not specified/undetermined113
Smoking27
Power generation/transmission/distribution13
Natural9
Arson/incendiarism8
Misuse of fire by a minor6
Railroad operations and maintenance5
Recreation and ceremony4

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 May 2011Equipment and vehicle use400 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceWILLIE FIRE
10 December 2005Debris and open burning300 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
4 September 2000Missing data/not specified/undetermined200 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceSOUTH BRANCH - 117
20 June 2012Debris and open burning200 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceMCGREGGOR
10 June 2018Equipment and vehicle use192 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceWOLFE FIELD
10 December 2020Equipment and vehicle use152 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceWARD
6 December 2005Debris and open burning150 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
13 June 2009Debris and open burning150 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceSKINNER

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1954 to 2025

60 of 289 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 289 reports for this county, causing 4 deaths, 13 injuries and about $12,345,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind104
Hail82
Flash Flood58
Tornado25
Flood12
Heavy Rain5
Lightning3

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2015Tornado (EF2)Pettibone1 killed, 6 hurt, $700,000A National Weather Service damage survey team found evidence of a tornado which produced EF-2 damage. The tornado first occurred near the community of Pettibone, and moved northeast across central Milam County. The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 12 homes, mobile homes, and farm buildings. Several locations suffered tree damage as well. The tornado was strongest as it approached US 190, between Milam County roads 201 and 206. In this area, the tornado was at its widest, and affected the most buildings.
May 2007LightningCameron1 killed, 1 hurtTwo people were struck by lightning while fishing at the edge of a pond. One was killed and the other injured.
June 2004Tornado (F1)Maysfield1 killed, $15,000The tornado developed at approximately 605 PM, 1 mile west of Maysfield near the intersection of FM 485 and CR 249. The tornado damaged a store near this intersection, then moved slowly west,along and just south of FM 485. The most significant damage occurred along FM 485 between CR 252and FM 979. A large corrugated metal workshop on the south side of FM 485 had the roof blown into some trees, and the walls blown down. The fatality occurred in this building. Apparently the door fell on a 72 year old man, hitting him in the head and killing him. North of FM 485 and east of FM 979, a shed was damaged.
January 2007Flash FloodBuckholts1 killed, $10,000A woman drowned after attempting to cross a flooded low-water crossing in her truck. The truck was found on January 15, but the woman's body was not located until the 18th. She was found off CR 147 near the Marak community. Water was also reported over roads near Davilla.
September 1992Tornado (F1)not stated3 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 2015Thunderstorm WindRockdale1 hurt, $50,000The Milam County emergency manager reported a mobile home was moved off the foundation piers on Green Street in Rockdale. Several trees were blown down, as were power lines. One Rockdale resident had a large tree fall through her home and she received minor head wounds.
May 2016FloodCameron1 hurt, $30,000According to local news reports, a woman drove into high water on the Little River bridge in Cameron. While the heavy rain from the day before had ended hours before the incident, water remained over the roadway by 9 AM CDT on the 23rd. As the woman drove her car on the bridge, the water swept the car off of the bridge and into the river bank. The woman was rescued by Cameron Police Department and the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department and taken to the hospital in Temple with minor injuries.
December 1985Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
May 2004Flash FloodCameron$2,570,000Significant flooding was occurring in Cameron and surrounding towns. There were reports of numerous cars in ditches. Up to 11 inches of rain fell across the county, damaging over 250 homes and businesses.
June 1989Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
November 1987Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
July 2007Flash FloodBuckholts$800,000Highway 77 between Burlington and Cameron, FM 485 at CR 255 near Maysfield, and Highway 190 in Cameron were all flooded by about eight inches of water. FM 485 was partially washed out. Numerous roads were closed in the Buckholtz/Cameron area including FM 1915 at Big Elm Creek, South Elm Creek, and Little River, FM 486 at Little River, and FM 1600 at Bear Creek. A dozen homes sustained water damge in Cameron, and four homes were flooded in the Thorndale-Thrall area. Four people were rescued from high water on the FM 2095 Snapdragon Bridge west of Hanover. One man refused help and elected to stay with the flooded vehicle.
May 1981Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1980Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1975Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1957Tornadonot stated$250,000no account filed
May 1955Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1954Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 2016Flash FloodYarrelton$100,000Up to 8 inches of rain resulted in flash flooding in Milam County; especially in the western portions of the county along many creeks, streams and rivers. A local newspaper specifically listed road closures at the following locations: FM 1915 at Big Elm Creek and also Little River, FM 1600 at Little River, FM 2269 at Big Elm Creek, FM 285 at North Elm Creek, FM 437 at Little River and also Donahue Creek, FM 487 at San Gabriel River, FM 908 at Brushy Creek, FM 486 at Little River and also Alligator Creek. The newspaper also listed pavement damage at the following locations: FM 1915 at Lipan Creek, FM 1600 at Bear/Little Bear Creek, FM 485 at North Elm Creek. At FM 486 at Alligator Creek, a car was washed off the roadway, and the 2 occupants had to be rescued. Several other rescues were needed according to the county police chief.
October 2013Flash FloodDavilla$100,000Several county roads across the northern part of the county were impassable due to flash flooding. Heavy thunderstorms produced 3-7 of rain across the northern half of the county resulting in flash flooding. FM 2269 at Elm Creek was impassable for a few days. FM 485 at Elm Creek was closed for several weeks due to damage caused by flooding from the swollen creek. At least 3 people were rescued out of Elm Creek near FM 485. In addition, parts of FM 487 and 437 near Davilla were flooded. Damage was reported on FM 437. CR 116 was also closed because the asphalt was washed away.
September 2013Flash FloodRockdale$100,000Water was reported up to the hood of cars approximately 2 miles west of Rockdale on US 79. Multiple streets in Rockdale were flooded, and the local newspaper reported extensive flooding at the intersections of US 79 and Childress, Meadow, and Calhoun streets. The worst flooding was at US 79 and Meadow Rd where four inches of water entered a restaurant and moved a large outside cooler about 40 yards. A trash dumpster near the restaurant was also moved. FM 908 & 487 were briefly closed during the event. In addition, a portion of Cypress Trail Loop on the western side of Rockdale was washed out.
May 2007Flash FloodBuckholts$100,000FM 437 at Cypress Creek was closed due to flooding in Buckholts, and a flooded house was evacuated in Cameron. The house and some of its contents were considered a total loss.
July 2007FloodRockdale$100,000Ham Branch breached its banks in central Rockdale, neccesitating water rescues and evacuations. A few houses were threatened by flood waters.
September 2006LightningCameron$100,000Lightning struck a tree, bounced off of a propane tank and struck a house on Highway 77. The kitchen, hallway, and attic suffered the most damage from the fire. The house was considered a total loss.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindCameron$75,000There were numerous reports of large trees blown down onto cars, businesses, and houses, and power lines were blown down.
September 1996Tornado (F1)Cameron$70,000no account filed
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMaysfield$50,000Thunderstorm winds damaged metal roofs in the Maysfield area along FM 485.
February 2012FloodLilac$50,000As the water in the town of Gause continued to slowly rise, flood waters entered a few structures, including Coats Grocery and the fire station. Rising waters also caused problems in Thorndale and Rockdale. In Rockdale, a high water rescue was needed after a car got stuck on FM 908 at Brushy Creek. The rising creek flooded over the roadway. Another high water rescue was performed at the intersection of San Jacinto and Post Oak in Rockdale. Flooding also occurred at other usual locations in Rockdale; including the intersections of Highway 79 at Childress, Meadow, and Calhoun, and a low water crossing on East Belton. Other parts of Meadow and San Jacinto were flooded as well. In Thorndale, water was reported over the road in several locations along Highway 79 and flood waters severely damaged FM 486. One person had to be rescued from their vehicle on County Road 446A. Substantial flooding was also reported throughout the Brushy Creek and San Gabriel River bottomlands.
April 2010Heavy RainRockdale$50,000A vehicle accident at East Belton and CR 333 during a thunderstorm resulted in two injuries and extensive damage to the vehicles.
April 2008HailRockdale$50,000Baseball-size hail fell in Rockdale breaking windows and damaging cars.
May 1994HailCameron$50,000Thunderstorm produced golf ball-sized hail for over 20 minutes in Cameron. Minor damage to crops in the form of shredded leaves was indicated, with most of the damage to grain and sorghum crops. Damage was indicated to roofs and to windows of homes and vehicles.
May 1995HailRockdale$40,000Golf ball to baseball-size hail broke windows and damaged automobiles and roofs.
May 2007Flash FloodThorndale$35,000Several houses flooded in town.
March 2022Tornado (EF1)Edgeworth$30,000New damage reports received from Milam County Emergency Management confirmed a tornado occurred near the city of South Elm in northwest Milam County. The tornado likely developed in an open field between CR 116 and FM 1915. It then snapped two wooden electrical transmission line poles near FM 1915. As the tornado continued northeast, it snapped a tree in half and severely damaged the roof of a barn, ripping most of the aluminum roof structure off the walls. It crossed FM 1915 one more time, blew out the walls of a barn and tore off a significant amount of shingles from the roof of a home. The damage is consistent with an EF1 tornado with max winds of 110 mph.
April 2022HailBurlington$25,000A public report indicated 2 inch diameter hail about 4 miles south-southwest of Rosebud, TX.
September 1977Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
January 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
November 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 2025Tornado (EF0)Cameron$20,000An EF-0 tornado formed southeast of Cameron approximately at the State Highway 36 bridge over the Little River. Substantial tree damage was noted in this vicinity, as well as some minor outbuilding damage. The tornado moved northeast, producing intermittent tree damage and light outbuilding damage as it paralleled Milam County Road 229 for a couple of miles before crossing County Roads 228 and 227. The tornado continued northeast beyond CR 227, producing additional damage to large tree branches and trunks. Some isolated damage to a recreational vehicle and some outbuildings also occurred along this eastern portion of the track. The tornado eventually reached FM 485 near its intersection with Hart Creek in eastern Milam County. The tornado dissipated in an open field immediately east of FM 485. Damage along the entire length of the track was consistent with estimated windspeeds of 65 to 75 mph, with a small number of trees exhibiting damage consistent with slightly higher EF-0 speeds of 75 to 85 mph.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindCameron Muni Arpt$20,000The automated weather station at the Cameron Municipal Airpark (KT35) recorded a 58 mph wind gust. Several trees and power lines were blown down in the city. The newspaper also reported that some metal roofs were damaged and the roof of a historic, two-story building at US 79 and FM 908 was partially torn off.
February 2012Flash FloodGause$20,000Parts of Highway 79 around the town of Gause were closed due to high water. Several people in vehicles got stuck along the highway around Gause, and some people were forced to spend the night in Gause. The water was reported to be waist deep at Highway 79 and FM 2095, where one person had to be helped to safety.
September 2009Flash FloodGause$20,000Widespread flooding was reported in Rockdale. Numerous streets were closed and Highway 79 west of Rockdale was closed due to high water. High water was also reported in parts of Milano and Cameron. FM 1915 at Big Elm Creek and FM 486 at the Little River had to be closed. Other county roads that were closed at some point during this time were CRs 119, 120, 147, 203, 230, 335, 402, 405, 408, 412, and 414.
September 2009FloodDavilla$20,000Residual flooding of County Roads and numerous roads in the city of Rockdale continued until the late evening hours. Many roads remains closed throughout the day.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindThorndale$15,000Several trees were blown down due to high winds in Thorndale. Several power lines were also knocked down after the trees fell on the lines.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindHoyte$15,000Some roofs were torn off on County Road 241, power lines were down, and a propane tank was blown over.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindCameron$12,000Thunderstorm winds damaged a few commercial signs and caused roof damage at a storage facility in the City of Cameron. There was also debris from trees scattered throughout the downtown area.
April 2004Thunderstorm WindBuckholts$12,000Occurred in the community of Davilla. Several mobile homes were unroofed and trees were uprooted.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindBaileyville$10,000A solar farm near Baileyville suffered damage to some solar panels, and trees were reported down in the same area.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindCross Rds$10,000A tree fell on a home on FM 979.
April 2019HailRockdale$10,000A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail in the city of Rockdale, TX.
April 2019Tornado (EF0)San Gabriel$10,000Am EF-0 tornado occurred in the city of San Gabriel, TX, damaging a business, a church, and a few sheds. Several trees were also damaged in the area. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 0.31 of a mile with a maximum width of 150 yards.
May 2016FloodVal Verde$10,000The son of a volunteer firefighter was saved by helicopter during a high water rescue on Donahoe Creek at FM 402 near the town of Davilla, TX.
September 2009Flash FloodDavilla$10,000The Sheriff's Office reported that numerous county roads across the county were closed due to high water.
March 2007Flash FloodBuckholts$10,000Several high water rescues were required. A truck was washed off a bridge near Marak; the occupants were able to escape through the windows of the truck. One of the men got to safety immediately, and another was carried downstream and was later found safe clinging to a tree. Two hog hunters had to be rescued when they were stranded by rising water near Pond Creek. No injuries were reported.
May 2007FloodCameron$10,000Several roads remained flooded and closed from earlier rains, including FM 1915 at Big Elm Creek, FM 1915 at Little River, CR 143, 147, 119, 120, and 240; FM 486 at Little River, FM 487 at San Gabriel River, and FM 908 at Brushy Creek; CR 407 at Clay's Creek, and CR 443 at Turkey Creek north of Thorndale. The culvert on CR 330 in Milano was washed out.
June 2007Flash FloodBurlington$10,000FM 437 near the Bell County line was partially washed out and closed. Numerous other roads were also closed due to high water.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindCountywide$10,000Trees and power lines down across the county.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindRockdale$10,000Trees and power lines were blown down all over town. There was secondary damage from trees falling on houses and cars.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindBranchville$10,000Strong winds blew down trees and destroyed a barn.
December 1997Thunderstorm WindRockdale$10,000Strong winds damaged a home.

Mines and quarries

1 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 1 working inside this county. It still produces. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Aluminum, Contained or Metal1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
(Facility) Rockdale Aluminum SmelterAluminum, Contained or MetalPlant1952

Every populated place in the county

55

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Milam County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.