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Mills County, Texas

68 topographic sheets cover 23 settlements here, and 3 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

3 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Mills County within Texas

What the record shows

  • 341 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 3 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 buildings and 1 structure.
  • 2 of the 3 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 23 populated places in this county; 23 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

3

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
Mills County Courthousebuilding200000001359
Mills County Jailhousebuilding197979002994
Regency Suspension Bridgestructure197676002052

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, 1888 - Mills County, state of Texas
Land ownership map (1888) - Mills County, state of Texas. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

20 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 652 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 20 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, 1948-10-01, scale 1:20000
1948-10-01, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-10-01, scale 1:20000
1948-10-01, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-10-01, scale 1:20000
1948-10-01, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-10-01, scale 1:20000
1948-10-01, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-09, scale 1:69000
1952-12-09, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-09, scale 1:69000
1952-12-09, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-09, scale 1:69000
1952-12-09, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-12-09, scale 1:69000
1952-12-09, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-06, scale 1:19200
1968-02-06, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-06, scale 1:19200
1968-02-06, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-06, scale 1:19200
1968-02-06, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-02-06, scale 1:19200
1968-02-06, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-13, scale 1:113780
1970-03-13, scale 1:113780. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-13, scale 1:113780
1970-03-13, scale 1:113780. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-13, scale 1:111984
1970-03-13, scale 1:111984. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-13, scale 1:111984
1970-03-13, scale 1:111984. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-01-07, scale 1:25000
1975-01-07, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-01-07, scale 1:25000
1975-01-07, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-01-07, scale 1:25000
1975-01-07, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-01-07, scale 1:25000
1975-01-07, scale 1:25000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

11 stations, 1 gage

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

14 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.

  • 167-1Justice Precinct 1: Goldthwaite city: Goldthwaite city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; City limits; Hutchings, 3rd, Fisher
  • 167-2Justice Precinct 1: Goldthwaite city - That part Bounded by City limits; Fisher, 3rd, Hutchings; City limits; City limits
  • 167-3Justice Precinct 1 - That part east of U. S. Highway 84 and State Highway 284, outside Goldthwaite city
  • 167-4Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of U. S. Highway 84 and State Highway 284, outside Goldthwaite city
  • 167-5Justice Precinct 2: Justice Precinct 2 - That part north of a metal surfaced road extending westward from Hamilton County line through Head to precinct line
  • 167-6Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of a metal surfaced road extending westward from Hamilton County line through Head to precinct line, and north of U. S. Highway 84
  • 167-7Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of U. S. Highway 84
  • 167-8Justice Precinct 3: Mullin town
  • 167-9Justice Precinct 3 - That part north of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway and east of Pompey Creek, outside Mullin town
  • 167-10Justice Precinct 3 - That part north of Pompey Creek and Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway
  • 167-11Justice Precinct 3 - That part southwest of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, outside Mullin town
  • 167-12Justice Precinct 4
  • 167-13Justice Precinct 5
  • 167-14Justice Precinct 6

Wildfire, 2005 to 2020

153 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 153 of them, burning about 13,974 acres. 7 started naturally and 5 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning45
Missing data/not specified/undetermined42
Equipment and vehicle use40
Natural7
Recreation and ceremony5
Arson/incendiarism5
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Smoking3
Other causes1
Railroad operations and maintenance1
Misuse of fire by a minor1

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

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
11 July 2020Other causes3,507 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceBUFFALO CREEK
5 August 2011Equipment and vehicle use1,701 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceCENTER CITY FIRE
23 July 2018Equipment and vehicle use1,466 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceFM 2005
6 March 2011Misuse of fire by a minor1,000 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceKYLE RANCH
24 June 2018Natural771 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceCR 402
24 June 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGRASS FIRE ON CR 418
14 June 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined400 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceSTONE CREEK
17 July 2018Equipment and vehicle use345 acresTexas A & M Forest Service412

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

Storms, 1957 to 2026

60 of 220 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 220 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 1 injury and about $2,780,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail127
Thunderstorm Wind46
Flash Flood30
Tornado14
Lightning2
Flood1

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
June 2009LightningCaradan1 hurtA Caradan man was struck by lightning that hit a nearby television pole, traveled through the ground and up his body. He was hospitalized for approximately 24 hours but not seriously injured.
February 1997Flash FloodGoldthwaite$2,000,000no account filed
May 2023HailDemocrat$100,000no account filed
May 2024Flash FloodGoldthwaite Mills Ar$50,000BNSF Railroad reported on their radio frequency that there was a track washout in the Goldthwaite area.
October 1993HailPriddy$50,000Roof damage was reported to a school from large hail.
May 2013HailCaradan$40,000Trained spotters reported hail to the size of baseballs in the city of Caradan.
January 1998Tornado (F1)Goldthwaite$40,000A tornado severely damaged a mobile home.
April 2014HailCastor$30,000There were several broadcast media reports of golf ball sized hail near the community of Castor, in Mills County.
March 2004Thunderstorm WindGoldthwaite$30,000A mobile home was damaged by high winds and there were numerous reports of barns destroyed.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindPriddy$25,000The combination of 70 mph winds and golfball sized hail resulted in several windows blown out of houses, minor roof damage and several trees blown over near Priddy.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindPriddy$25,000Roof damage was observed on multiple homes in Priddy.
April 1991Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1982Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1982Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
April 1978Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1975Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 2009Thunderstorm WindDemocrat$20,000Widespread property and tree damage was reported across the county. Several power outages also occurred.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindStar$20,000Several trees and large branches downed. A large oak tree fell on a house, damaging the roof.
June 2003LightningGoldthwaite$20,00027 goats and some cows were killed by lightning.
May 2006Flash FloodMullin$15,000A house was flooded with at least one to two feet of water in it.
June 2023HailGoldthwaite$10,000Golf ball to 2 hail was reported from south of Goldthwaite east along CR 306. Some windows were broken south of Goldthwaite on Hwy 183.
June 2023HailCenter City$10,000Baseball sized hail was reported west of Center City.
March 2021HailGoldthwaite$10,000Golf ball size hail was reported at Goldthwaite High School.
May 2011HailGoldthwaite$10,000Golfball sized hail fell in Goldthwaite. The hail broke glass windows at the Mills County Courthouse, damaged skylights at the elementary school, and dented cars.
May 2006HailMullin$10,000no account filed
May 2006HailGoldthwaite$10,000no account filed
May 2024HailCastor$8,000Public reported golf ball sized hail around 4 miles south of Goldthwaite.
April 2014HailGoldthwaite$8,000Mills County sheriff's deputies reported golf ball sized hail approximately four miles south of Goldthwaite.
May 2024HailGoldthwaite Mills Ar$7,000A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail in the Goldthwaite area.
April 2024HailCenter City$7,000A social media image indicated golf ball sized hail in eastern Mills County.
September 2009Thunderstorm WindCastor$7,000Part of the metal roof of a manufactured home on CR 411 south of Goldthwaite was peeled back. The beams were also lifted off with the sheet of metal.
May 2016HailPriddy$5,000A public report estimated 2-inch diameter hail near the intersection of State Highway 16 and County Road 262.
May 2016HailPriddy$5,000A public report estimated 2-inch diameter hail near the intersection of State Highway 16 and County Road 262.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindGoldthwaite$5,000A house suffered roof damage west of Goldthwaite.
May 2010HailGoldthwaite$5,000Goldthwaite police officers reported golfball sized hail on highway 183 south of town.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindPriddy$5,000Peak winds of 70 mph were estimated in Priddy. Large tree limbs up to 10 inches in diameter were down and other tree damage was observed.
February 2008HailPriddy$5,000Golfball-size was reported approximately two-and-a-half miles west of Priddy and just south of Democrat.
March 2002Thunderstorm WindMullin$5,000Trees were blown down by high winds.
April 1999Tornado (F0)Goldthwaite$5,000Large trees were uprooted and small buildings were destoryed by a brief tornado.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindPriddy$5,000Trees were blown across a road by thunderstorm winds.
June 2023HailGoldthwaite$5,000no account filed
June 2023HailMullin$5,000no account filed
June 2009HailPriddy$3,000Baseball size hail fell in Priddy.
June 2003HailPriddy$3,000Windshield damage from large hail.
May 1982Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
October 1974Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
May 2013HailPriddy$2,000Golf ball sized hail was reported in, and west of, the city of Priddy.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMullin$2,000Two large trees were blown down over FM 573 near Mullin.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindStar$2,000Numerous trees were down just north of Star.
May 2009HailPriddy$2,000Golfball size hail fell near CR 141 near the Comanche/Mills county line.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindGoldthwaite$2,000Trees were blown down by high winds on FM 574 southwest of Goldthwaite and near Mullin.
March 2002Thunderstorm WindCentral Portion$2,000A storage shed and a tin roof were destroyed by high winds.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindGoldthwaite$2,000Trees were blown down in town.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindMullin$2,000Thunderstorm winds overturned a boat dock on Lake Merritt. Thunderstorm winds also donwed large tree limbs.
April 2011HailPriddy$2,000no account filed
March 1997Thunderstorm WindGoldthwaite$2,000no account filed
March 1997Thunderstorm WindCenter City$2,000no account filed
May 2009Thunderstorm WindPriddy$1,000Estimated winds of 60 mph were reported near CR 141 near the Comanche/Mills county line.
June 2009HailDemocrat$1,000Golfball size hail fell in Democrat.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindStar$1,000Cooperative observer in Moline reported wind damage.

Every populated place in the county

23

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 Mills 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.