El Camino Real lands $50,000 grant from Park Service

Submitted by Cameron1 on

The Rancheria Grande landowners, Steven Gonzales, and board members of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association, Sergio and Melinda Iruegas of GTI Environmental, and members of the Milam County Historical Commission during a visit to the Rancheria Grande sites in early 2017.

The National Park Service recently announced $500,000 in grants to help fund 13 projects across the country to increase the number of listings associated with communities that are underrepresented on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Milam County has been awarded $50,000. The project consists of the El Camino Real de los Tejas Rancheria Grande National Register nomination. The project will enhance the Milam County Certified Local Government by recognizing the Spanish Colonial Historic Native Village Sites and Historic Road and Trail Segments of El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail that comprise a portion of Rancheria Grande. In particular, the Underrepresented Communities grant will prepare National Register nominations for The Connor Swales Site, the Baumann Village Site, the Bird Point Heaven Village Site, and the Wise Village Site. 

The county will also prepare the National Register nomination of Rancheria Grande Archaeological District, as well as the National Register Nomination of Rancheria Grande Sites as contributing components of San Xavier Mission National Register Archaeological District, and the National Register nomination of Rancheria Grande Sites as contributing components of Historic Resources of El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. 

“The National Park Service is working with states, tribes, and  local governments to help more people connect with their history and explore America’s diverse stories,” Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds said. “These grants will fund projects that recognize and preserve places that will educate and inspire future generations of Americans.”

“We are thrilled that the Milam County Historical Commission was eligible to apply for this grant, due to the outstanding work of its Certified Local Government Committee, under the leadership of Geri Burnett,” Lynn Young, Milam County Historical Commission Chair said. “This is the single largest grant awarded in the nation and we are very grateful to the National Park Service for assistance in protecting, preserving and promoting the fascinating history of Milam County.”