"B. H. Benjamin Bryant and Bryant Station" by Joy Graham

B. H. Benjamin Bryant and Bryant Station

Bit of History by Joy Graham

Benjamin Franklin Bryant, one of the early settlers to Milam County, was born on March

15, 1800 in Wilkes County, Georgia. The name was originally Bryan, however after they

came to America they changed the name to Bryant.

Benjamin married Roxanna Price in South Carolina and had seven children. His second wife

Rebecca Parker also had seven children.

He was one of the earliest pioneers to Texas. He fought in the Battle of San Jacinto and

was later appointed Indian Agent by President of The Texas Republic of Texas. He made his

mark in Milam County by building a fort on three thousand acres. Bryant’s log cabin and

the fort were built on the north side of Little River. In 1840 Bryant Station had a

population of 260. The U. S. Army Station was established to keep Native American tribes

out of the Republic of Texas capital at Washington on the Brazos. The station became an

important stage coach stop on the route to Austin.

In 1860 the U.S. Census List revealed a large Irish population. The fort became known as

a trading center but was abandoned in the 1870’s when the Railroad centers came through

the area.

By 1909 as more people came to this area of Texas, a bridge was needed to cross the

river. Milam County Commissioner’s court contracted with C. Q. Horton, Austin Texas as

agent for Chicago Bride and Iron Company to build a camelback-through truss of 200 foot

span bridge on cylindrical concrete columns. Approaching spans were supported on I-beams

which brought the structure’s total length to 343 ft. in length.

The original bridge built in 1909 connected Buckholts, Cameron and Davila to the Old Corn

Hill Road to the west and to Georgetown. Both the restored pedestrian Bridge and the new

structure were dedicated in 2003 and are located on County Road 106.

The old bridge remains intact at its original location with the county purchasing right

of way for the new bridge which spans 420 foot with a 30 foot clear roadway width. It was

preserved as a foot bridge with a five year obligation to maintain the historic bridge

for foot traffic.

Reference:

Milam County 1994 Distinguished Service Application to THC, Austin, TX

http//www.historicbridgefoundation.com/pages/texas/prairies/milam

Temple Daily Telegram 1-19-2003 “New Bridge replaces steel trestle over Little River” by Jeanne Williams

Bit of History

Joy Graham

"Milam History"
by Mary Joy Graham
A weekly feature published in the Rockdale Reporter