Designating Milam as the official Gateway Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
The designation as the Gateway Capital of Texas is intended to highlight Milam’s contributions to the heritage of Texas and attract tourism and recognition to the area. By celebrating its historical context and connection to significant travel routes, the resolution aims to preserve and promote local history, potentially benefitting local businesses and cultural events such as the Milam Settlers Day gathering.
HCR81 is a concurrent resolution that designates the town of Milam as the official Gateway Capital of Texas for a period of ten years, until 2035. This resolution acknowledges Milam’s historical significance along one of Texas' earliest travel routes, El Camino Real de los Tejas, which played a vital role in the state's early settlement and development. It details the town's rich history, which includes its establishment in 1828, its connections to notable figures such as Stephen F. Austin, and its development into a key passageway for westward expansion during the Republic of Texas period.
While HCR81 presents a positive recognition of Milam's history, it may also lead to discussions about how such designations affect local identity and heritage recognition statewide. The resolution's intent to promote Milam's historical narrative could lead to debates over the importance of other historically significant towns in Texas, thereby inciting discussions among various localities about their historical contributions and recognition.
Key highlights of HCR81 include the recognition of Milam’s pivotal role as a historic stop for Native Americans, Spanish colonizers, and early American settlers. The resolution also celebrates the town’s current efforts to honor and preserve its history through events and sites of significance that attract visitors and educate them about Texas’ storied past.