There is a meeting on Friday, June 3 at 2 p.m. at the library of the local Milam County Rancheria Grande chapter of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail to celebrate National Trails Day.
Rancheria Grande is the name of a gathering place that has appeared in Colonial Spanish texts, but no one knew where it was. The gathering place is now said to be Sugarloaf Mountain where 23 different groups of Indians gathered for trade and information exchange. The Rancheria Chapter is interested in buying this property through grants and donations.
A special presentation will be given by Dr. John Pruett, past chairman of the Rancheria Grande chapter of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.
The following information was received from our town’s Geri Burnett who knows a thing or two about history.
The earliest history of Colonial America is intrinsically linked to early Texas history, which represents shared ideas of liberty between Spanish, French and English colonists.
The history of the United States begins in early Texas history as much as it does in the thirteen American colonies. The story of the Rancheria Grande rivals the narrative of Plymouth Rock and Jamestown, and all three with the Spanish Missions ranchos of La Provincia de los Tejas are equally responsible for the successful colonization of North America.
The Rancheria Grande represents the largest conglomeration of Native American and European groups that assisted in the transportation of goods, soldiers, ammunition, funding and cattle to the American Revolutionary war effort.
Social and economic ties were required to pass safely along El Camino Real de los Tejas through Rancheria Grande territory; without good relations with the 23 nation groups, our national narrative might have been very different than it is today.
The Reporter encourages everyone to see this special and informative presentation, artifacts and plans for another Milam County travel destination.
—K.W.C.
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