The Milam Settlers Organization is devoted to the preservation of Milam’s history and to the promotion of Milam’s spirit of community.
-
PRESIDENT:
Mike Tieman
VICE PRESIDENT:
Jennifer Vickers
SECRETARY:
Debbie Cox
TREASURER:
Debbie Pennington
Milam Settlers Organization began in 1992, with a mission to promote & preserve our area history, and to support our local community.
-
The reconstruction of the Causey House was one early project of the organization.
The Causey House was built in the 1830s, by Benjamin F. Bryant, who was originally from Georgia.
This home is one of two early log homes built in Sabine County, the other being the Gaines-Oliphint House. The home was originally constructed on land between Palo Gaucho and Nichols Creek, about five miles south of Milam.
The home was last occupied as a residence in the 1960s. The Waller's then donated the home to Milam Settler's Day Organization and subsequently the organization moved the Causey home to the old Milam town square where it has remained since the mid-1990s.
-
The organization furnishes money toward the upkeep of the historic Milam cemetery located at the end of Vernon St. in Milam and has helped present a historical marker for the cemetery.
VIEW GALLERY
-
Money raised for Milam Settlers Day is also used for the upkeep of El Camino Park, including its buildings, which is the site of Milam Settlers Day, Sale on the Trail and additional hosted events.
VIEW GALLERY
-
A marker has been acquired to designate the location where Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," spent his first night in Texas, which is situated on Las Borregas Creek.
To see other historical markers in the area…..
-
The organization awards college scholarships to local high school graduates and hopes to expand that program as funds allow.
In honor of our faithful servant, Felix Holmes, who spent many years contributing to these efforts, we are renaming our annual scholarship: The Felix Holmes Memorial Service Award. Felix was a servant to so many, and we hope this Award will be a forever reminder of his love and sacrifice. Preference will be given to the student who displays the love of history, community, and service, modeled by Felix. Applications will be available through their local counselor programs, and awarded in May each year.
-
Milam is Sabine County's oldest town, located six miles north of Hemphill in northern Sabine County. The highway passing through Milam (Hwy. 21) is said to be the oldest roadway on the North American continent. Indians were the first travelers on this historical route, and Milam was a trading post before the white men came to Texas. The site was originally an Indian watering place called Las Borregas by the Spanish.
When the Spaniards were trying to settle Texas, the King of Spain had a road built for his soldiers to travel over. He used the road through Milam at the beginning of the 1700s. It was called "El Camino Real," and was later called "The Old San Antonio Road."
-
Stephen F. Austin spent his first night in Texas on the Borregas Creek and described the area as a red dirt mound, which is where it got its original name when John S. Roberts from Louisiana established his trading post as "Red Mound" in 1834. The name was changed to Milam in 1835 in honor of Benjamin Rush Milam. The new town of Milam was made the County Seat of Sabine County in 1836 and continued as county seat until 1858.
The population of Milam at that time was 3,600. It was the chief town in Texas during the Republic of Texas. The Milam Post Office is the oldest post office in Texas that has been in use ever since it started. While under the Republic of Texas, Milam was a port of entry with a customs collector. During the Civil War it became county headquarters for the Army Quartermaster Department of the Confederacy.
During the antebellum Texas period the town was known for its two large racetracks, which drew crowds that were easily accommodated by its equally well-known inns and taverns.
-
Today, Milam's population is about 1,480, according to the 2010 census. The area celebrates Milam Settlers Day annually to preserve the history of Milam. The two-day event is held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and is free to attend. It features craft and food booths, and entertainment. Funds raised from the event are used for the upkeep of the Causey House, El Camino Park, the Milam Cemetery, and a scholarship award to a local graduate is also sourced from the event. Recently, a historical marker designating the area where Stephen F. Austin spent his first night in Texas on Las Borregas Creek was placed. Future plans for historical markers in Milam include the Milam Cemetery and for the town of Milam.
The Milam Settlers Day Organization was formed in 1992 with the purpose of preserving the history of Milam and keeping the memories and stories of Milam, and early settlers into Texas alive.
Over the years all proceeds have gone to maintain The 1830's Causey House along with El Camino Park in Milam, and support local organizations such as local VFD's, Milam Cemetery, Historical Markers, needy families, and local scholarships.
