Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Requests for Info
Received via Website
Received via Website
2017-04-08
Brian Sweany
bdsweany@gmail.com
11401 Larue Belle Lane
Austin, TX 78739
214-681-2514
Good evening,
I was doing some research and have a question about Port Sullivan.
I read on the Texas State Historical Association site that a marker was placed at that location during the Texas Centennial, in 1936 (it mistakenly referred to it as "Fort Sullivan").
Is that marker still in existence, and if so, can it be visited?
Thank you for your help.
Brian Sweany
**********
2017-04-08
Standard reply sent to Mr. Sweany. Email forwarded to MCHC members and others interested in MC history.
**********
2017-04-08
Brian Sweany
Thank you very much, Mr. Caywood. I appreciate your response.
My wife is a professor at Texas A&M, so that's an easy drive for me. I've looked for the marker before (being very careful not to get on private property), but have not been able to locate it.
Warm regards,
Brian
**********
2017-04-09
Mr. Sweany,
Yes sir, it certainly does exists and it may be visited. My wife and I did that seven months ago to check on some reported vandalism to the Port Sullivan marker. You'll note that the photo of the marker in attachment #1 is missing the medallion. Unfortunately on that same day, we found two other markers that were damaged, one with a bullet hole and the other with a stolen medallion. I was able to make a satisfactory repair to the one with a bullet hole w/ some liquid steel, sandpaper, spray paint and an artist's brush. The remaining two were turned into the THC by our Milam County Historical Commission Chair, at the time, Mrs. Geri Burnett.
I, too, had noted the FORT Sullivan during an earlier research and was unable to substantiate the same. You probably also noted the spelling Sillivan, on occasion, during your research. http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/markers_port_sullivan.php
While visiting, I would highly recommend a very short drive to the historic Port Sullivan Cemetery. Attachment # 2 http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/markers_port_sullivan_cemetery.php.
Attachment # 3 is a Milam County map (courtesy of local merchants) showing the general location of the above markers and cemetery's.
Attachment # 4, compliments of Google Earth, depicts the close proximity of the three Port Sullivan cemeteries. Each has its own unique charm. If you're able to find the time, I highly recommend visiting the Port Sullivan Cemetery. Don't leave your car door open, but not for the reason that you may suspect.
When we last visited the cemetery, I failed to carry my camera with me. My loving bride of 47 years was kind enough to offer to go back to the car and retrieve it for me. Unfortunately she left the car door wide open since we were the only guests visiting the cemetery at the time. After leaving the cemetery and driving down the road a short distance the car radio turned itself on, all by itself. I thought maybe we had bumped it, so I turned it off. After a minute or so, on it turns again. Mind you, this is a reasonably new vehicle and we have never had an issue with the radio before. Again it was turned off. I told my wife that if it comes on again, it will be her fault for leaving the car door open and allowing a spirit from the cemetery to enter. Sure thing, on it switches again. We decided to name our new found passenger and cemetery friend, Sully Sullivan. We've discovered that he will also turn the radio off if the music is not to his liking. He appears to favor classical music since he turns that off the least. If you find yourself a skeptic, go ahead and leave your car door open when you visit. You may find yourself with a new guest, and we'll truly miss his past musical accompaniment and entertainment.
Back to more serious business, If you're seriously interested in Port Sullivan, then John Martin Brockman's thesis Port Sullivan, Ghost Town is the premier reading for you;
Bibliography: T. Lindsay, Ghost Towns of Texas (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. 1986). John Martin Brockman, Port Sullivan, Texas: Ghost Town (M.A. thesis, Texas A& M University, 1968)
http://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1968-THESIS-B864/1968%20Thesis%20B864.pdf;sequence=1
Should the above wet your appetite, then I would highly recommend this book; Sandbars and Sternwheelers/ Steam Navigation on the Brazos by Pamela Ashworth Puryear and Nath Winfield, Jr, Texas A&M University Press, 1976. It is a recorded history of the heart and soul of the struggles of steamboat navigation which was the lifeblood of Port Sullivan and of all the other Brazos River ports of call. It is entertaining, educational, often tragic and even sometimes quite humorous. Even bits of ports of call romance. See attachment # 5 for teasers from this wonderful book.
https://www.amazon.com/Sandbars-Sternwheelers-Steam-Navigation-Brazos/dp/1585440582
Since I'm encouraging you to see as many historic sights in the vicinity as possible, I would suggest you drive just a couple miles farther east on FM 485 toward Hearne. If possible to do so safely, drive slowly across the Brazos River Bridge and then look left (North) to see the concrete remains of one of the many locks that were designed to control flooding on the mighty Brazos. Attachment # 6 gives a brief story of the folly of this project. See photo attachment # 7. I did not take this photograph and am unable to give credit to the individual that did. It is an excellent view of the remains of the early 1900's historic lock.
This is an interesting article written and researched by Greg Kouba and posted on the MCHC web site; http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/sheriffs_03_agustus_sillivan.php
I'm afraid that I've seriously drifted off of your initial Port Sullivan marker inquiry, but I do hope that you get a better perspective of the richness of the history of this community and of its earlier importance to trade, travel and settlement of Milam County and beyond.
One last thought, If you plan your trip early enough from Austin, you should have enough time to visit Cameron, our county seat. You'll find four excellent, cost free attractions around the courthouse square. They are; our beautiful 1892 Renaissance Revival Courthouse constructed of native limestone, the educational Milam County Historical Museum, the 1895 Romanesque Revival Milam County Historic Jail with classic exterior features and even an interior hanging tower and last but certainly not least, Little Cameron, a 1940 miniature scale model of Cameron including working model trains. The museums are open Tuesday thru Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.. I would recommend contacting the museum at (254) 697-8963 prior to your visit so that Charles King, past Director, would be able to give you one of his excellent and very knowledgeable tours. Should you visit, since I shared Sully Sullivan with you, ask Charles about his "friend" when Charles plays the pump organ in the Old Historic Jail. Another "spirited" music enthusiast.
On behalf of the Milam County Historical Commission, we hope that you and yours have safe travel and an enjoyable visit to Milam County.
Respectfully,
Jack Brooks
*****
Brian Sweany
bdsweany@gmail.com
11401 Larue Belle Lane
Austin, TX 78739
214-681-2514
Good evening,
I was doing some research and have a question about Port Sullivan.
I read on the Texas State Historical Association site that a marker was placed at that location during the Texas Centennial, in 1936 (it mistakenly referred to it as "Fort Sullivan").
Is that marker still in existence, and if so, can it be visited?
Thank you for your help.
Brian Sweany
**********
2017-04-08
Standard reply sent to Mr. Sweany. Email forwarded to MCHC members and others interested in MC history.
**********
2017-04-08
Brian Sweany
Thank you very much, Mr. Caywood. I appreciate your response.
My wife is a professor at Texas A&M, so that's an easy drive for me. I've looked for the marker before (being very careful not to get on private property), but have not been able to locate it.
Warm regards,
Brian
**********
2017-04-09
Mr. Sweany,
Yes sir, it certainly does exists and it may be visited. My wife and I did that seven months ago to check on some reported vandalism to the Port Sullivan marker. You'll note that the photo of the marker in attachment #1 is missing the medallion. Unfortunately on that same day, we found two other markers that were damaged, one with a bullet hole and the other with a stolen medallion. I was able to make a satisfactory repair to the one with a bullet hole w/ some liquid steel, sandpaper, spray paint and an artist's brush. The remaining two were turned into the THC by our Milam County Historical Commission Chair, at the time, Mrs. Geri Burnett.
I, too, had noted the FORT Sullivan during an earlier research and was unable to substantiate the same. You probably also noted the spelling Sillivan, on occasion, during your research. http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/markers_port_sullivan.php
While visiting, I would highly recommend a very short drive to the historic Port Sullivan Cemetery. Attachment # 2 http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/markers_port_sullivan_cemetery.php.
Attachment # 3 is a Milam County map (courtesy of local merchants) showing the general location of the above markers and cemetery's.
Attachment # 4, compliments of Google Earth, depicts the close proximity of the three Port Sullivan cemeteries. Each has its own unique charm. If you're able to find the time, I highly recommend visiting the Port Sullivan Cemetery. Don't leave your car door open, but not for the reason that you may suspect.
When we last visited the cemetery, I failed to carry my camera with me. My loving bride of 47 years was kind enough to offer to go back to the car and retrieve it for me. Unfortunately she left the car door wide open since we were the only guests visiting the cemetery at the time. After leaving the cemetery and driving down the road a short distance the car radio turned itself on, all by itself. I thought maybe we had bumped it, so I turned it off. After a minute or so, on it turns again. Mind you, this is a reasonably new vehicle and we have never had an issue with the radio before. Again it was turned off. I told my wife that if it comes on again, it will be her fault for leaving the car door open and allowing a spirit from the cemetery to enter. Sure thing, on it switches again. We decided to name our new found passenger and cemetery friend, Sully Sullivan. We've discovered that he will also turn the radio off if the music is not to his liking. He appears to favor classical music since he turns that off the least. If you find yourself a skeptic, go ahead and leave your car door open when you visit. You may find yourself with a new guest, and we'll truly miss his past musical accompaniment and entertainment.
Back to more serious business, If you're seriously interested in Port Sullivan, then John Martin Brockman's thesis Port Sullivan, Ghost Town is the premier reading for you;
Bibliography: T. Lindsay, Ghost Towns of Texas (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. 1986). John Martin Brockman, Port Sullivan, Texas: Ghost Town (M.A. thesis, Texas A& M University, 1968)
http://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1968-THESIS-B864/1968%20Thesis%20B864.pdf;sequence=1
Should the above wet your appetite, then I would highly recommend this book; Sandbars and Sternwheelers/ Steam Navigation on the Brazos by Pamela Ashworth Puryear and Nath Winfield, Jr, Texas A&M University Press, 1976. It is a recorded history of the heart and soul of the struggles of steamboat navigation which was the lifeblood of Port Sullivan and of all the other Brazos River ports of call. It is entertaining, educational, often tragic and even sometimes quite humorous. Even bits of ports of call romance. See attachment # 5 for teasers from this wonderful book.
https://www.amazon.com/Sandbars-Sternwheelers-Steam-Navigation-Brazos/dp/1585440582
Since I'm encouraging you to see as many historic sights in the vicinity as possible, I would suggest you drive just a couple miles farther east on FM 485 toward Hearne. If possible to do so safely, drive slowly across the Brazos River Bridge and then look left (North) to see the concrete remains of one of the many locks that were designed to control flooding on the mighty Brazos. Attachment # 6 gives a brief story of the folly of this project. See photo attachment # 7. I did not take this photograph and am unable to give credit to the individual that did. It is an excellent view of the remains of the early 1900's historic lock.
This is an interesting article written and researched by Greg Kouba and posted on the MCHC web site; http://www.milamcountyhistoricalcommission.org/sheriffs_03_agustus_sillivan.php
I'm afraid that I've seriously drifted off of your initial Port Sullivan marker inquiry, but I do hope that you get a better perspective of the richness of the history of this community and of its earlier importance to trade, travel and settlement of Milam County and beyond.
One last thought, If you plan your trip early enough from Austin, you should have enough time to visit Cameron, our county seat. You'll find four excellent, cost free attractions around the courthouse square. They are; our beautiful 1892 Renaissance Revival Courthouse constructed of native limestone, the educational Milam County Historical Museum, the 1895 Romanesque Revival Milam County Historic Jail with classic exterior features and even an interior hanging tower and last but certainly not least, Little Cameron, a 1940 miniature scale model of Cameron including working model trains. The museums are open Tuesday thru Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.. I would recommend contacting the museum at (254) 697-8963 prior to your visit so that Charles King, past Director, would be able to give you one of his excellent and very knowledgeable tours. Should you visit, since I shared Sully Sullivan with you, ask Charles about his "friend" when Charles plays the pump organ in the Old Historic Jail. Another "spirited" music enthusiast.
On behalf of the Milam County Historical Commission, we hope that you and yours have safe travel and an enjoyable visit to Milam County.
Respectfully,
Jack Brooks
*****
.
2017-04-08
Brian Sweany
bdsweany@gmail.com
Thank you very much, Mr. Caywood. I appreciate your response.
My wife is a professor at Texas A&M, so that's an easy drive for me. I've looked for the marker before (being very careful not to get on private property), but have not been able to locate it.
Warm regards,
Brian
*****
2017-04-08
Lucile Estell
lucile_estell@sbcglobal.net
Jerry,
Bob Brinkman, head of the marker division of the Texas Historical Commission, knows a great deal about the Centennial Markers. I have photos when markers from THC were dedicated. I will try and find them next week.
(I assume this was sent to Mr Sweany - JC)
*****
2017-04-09
Mary Neeley
m9nee@yahoo.com
Yes the marker is still there and it located on Hwy 79 near the Brazil River bridge.
(I assume this was sent to Mr Sweany - JC)
*****
2017-04-10
Dear Mr. Brooks,
Thank you for this incredible email. Your help--and everyone else's is much appreciated.
I am writing a book about Charles Goodnight, and he spent some of his boyhood years in Nashville and Port Sullivan. This is all terrific information and greatly appreciated. And I would very much enjoy meeting Mr. King and finding about the "spirited" Old Historic Jail.
My deep thanks to all of you, and I look forward to spending time in Milam County soon.
Best,
Brian
*****
.
Brian Sweany
bdsweany@gmail.com
Thank you very much, Mr. Caywood. I appreciate your response.
My wife is a professor at Texas A&M, so that's an easy drive for me. I've looked for the marker before (being very careful not to get on private property), but have not been able to locate it.
Warm regards,
Brian
*****
2017-04-08
Lucile Estell
lucile_estell@sbcglobal.net
Jerry,
Bob Brinkman, head of the marker division of the Texas Historical Commission, knows a great deal about the Centennial Markers. I have photos when markers from THC were dedicated. I will try and find them next week.
(I assume this was sent to Mr Sweany - JC)
*****
2017-04-09
Mary Neeley
m9nee@yahoo.com
Yes the marker is still there and it located on Hwy 79 near the Brazil River bridge.
(I assume this was sent to Mr Sweany - JC)
*****
2017-04-10
Dear Mr. Brooks,
Thank you for this incredible email. Your help--and everyone else's is much appreciated.
I am writing a book about Charles Goodnight, and he spent some of his boyhood years in Nashville and Port Sullivan. This is all terrific information and greatly appreciated. And I would very much enjoy meeting Mr. King and finding about the "spirited" Old Historic Jail.
My deep thanks to all of you, and I look forward to spending time in Milam County soon.
Best,
Brian
*****
.