Editing Cameron, Texas (section)

==History==

===Early years===

Soon after Texas became a U.S. state, the [[Texas Legislature]] authorized a seven-member commission to find a permanent site for the Milam County seat.<ref name="Texas Handbook">{{cite web | url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfc01 | title = Cameron, Texas | publisher = [[The Handbook of Texas]] online | access-date = 2013-06-28 | archive-date = February 23, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200223191803/https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfc01 | url-status = live }}</ref> The commission purchased a 60-acre tract of Daniel Monroe's headright on the [[Little River (Texas)|Little River]] in 1846 and named the new community Cameron after [[Ewen Cameron (Captain)|Ewen Cameron]], a [[Scottish people|Scottish highlander]] prominent in the [[Texas Revolution]] and a member of the [[Mier Expedition]] during the war with [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cameron-tx.com/tourism/history.html |title=History |publisher=Cameron Area Chamber of Commerce |access-date=2009-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603022341/http://www.cameron-tx.com/tourism/history.html |archive-date=June 3, 2008 }}</ref> When the courthouse in Cameron was completed later that year, county records were transferred to Cameron from [[Nashville, Texas|Nashville]]—a community situated along the [[Brazos River]] that had served as the Milam County seat during the period when Texas was an independent [[Republic of Texas|republic]].<ref name="Texas Escapes"/><ref name="Kubiak">{{cite web | url = http://www.forttumbleweed.net/cameron.html | title = Cameron, Texas Webpage | work = Leonard Kubiak's Online Texas History Webpages | publisher = Leonard Kubiak | access-date = 2009-05-30 | archive-date = December 2, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202225017/http://www.forttumbleweed.net/cameron.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The new town struggled due to its isolated location, with the nearest railroad being 50 miles away. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, several attempts were made to navigate the Little River to give Cameron easier access to trade routes.<ref name="Kubiak"/> The most successful attempts occurred in 1850 after heavy rains made the river rise. J.W. McCown Sr. persuaded Captain Basil M. Hatfield to bring his steamboat ''Washington'' through the upper Brazos up to the Little River. The steamboat and the merchandise it brought caused great excitement among the locals, and a two-day celebration was held when the boat tied up 2.5 miles east of Cameron.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> Despite this, however, navigation of the river was impractical on a regular basis, and places such as [[Port Sullivan, Texas|Port Sullivan]] and Nashville developed into Milam County's dominant business centers during the 1850s and 1860s.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> More competition came in the 1870s when nearby [[Rockdale, Texas|Rockdale]] was established on the [[International-Great Northern Railroad]]. Faced with these challenges, some Milam County residents began to question whether Cameron should remain the county seat instead of the newly prosperous town of Rockdale. Elections were held in 1874 and 1880 on the issue, with the results going in favor of maintaining the status quo.<ref name="Texas Escapes"/>

===Incorporation and growth===
In 1881, the [[Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway]] arrived in Cameron. This improved the local economy and led to population growth. Between 1878 and 1884, the total number of residents increased by 60%, from around 500 to 800.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> Cameron had attempted to incorporate in 1856, 1866, and 1873, but each time the charter was allowed to lapse. It was officially incorporated in 1889.<ref name="Kubiak"/> The  [[San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway]] arrived in 1890, giving the town another boost. By 1892, the population stood at nearly 2,000.

Although cotton dominated the economy of Cameron during the 19th century, the 20th century brought more diversified industries. The discovery of oil in neighboring [[Williamson County, Texas|Williamson County]] in 1915 prompted Milam County residents to initiate their own exploration. The Minerva-Rockdale oil field, discovered in 1921, provided new opportunities for investment.<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> In the 1920s and 1930s, several milk-product companies also operated in Cameron, including the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Corporation.<ref name="Kubiak"/> At the [[United States Census, 1930|1930 census]], the population was 4,565. That figure rose to 5,040 in 1940.

===Modern times===
Cameron residents received much-needed job opportunities in the 1950s when the [[Alcoa|Aluminum Company of America]] built a plant southwest of Rockdale. Jobs at the plant, as well as the [[lignite]] industry that supplied the plant's power, revitalized the economy of Milam County. Between 1950 and 1960, Cameron registered an increase of 588 residents, from 5,052 to 5,640.

This level of growth would not continue, however. The [[Texas and New Orleans Railroad]] discontinued its track from Cameron south to [[Giddings, Texas|Giddings]]. [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]], which had taken over the Texas and New Orleans, abandoned its track from Cameron north to [[Rosebud, Texas|Rosebud]].<ref name="Texas Handbook"/> The population continued to experience slight fluctuations throughout the remainder of the late 20th century. The Alcoa plant closed in 2009.

Since 2010, the annual [[Burning Flipside]] festival has been held at the nearby Apache Pastures campground, drawing tourists to the area.

On February 23, 2021, a collision between a flatbed tractor-trailer and a BNSF railroad train on [[Farm to Market Road 2095]] near Cameron caused a [[derailment]]. The train's petroleum cargo exploded, resulting in the evacuation of nearby homes. At least one structure burned, but no loss of life or injuries were reported.<ref name="NBC">{{cite web |title=Massive Explosion Follows Train, Tractor-Trailer Collision in Central Texas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/huge-explosion-erupts-after-18-wheeler-hits-fuel-train-texas-n1258642 |website=www.nbcnews.com |date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318222358/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/huge-explosion-erupts-after-18-wheeler-hits-fuel-train-texas-n1258642 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news |title=Texas train carrying fuel in flames after crossing collision |work=BBC News |date=February 23, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56117353 |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319023610/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56117353 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Since Oct of 2021, the City of Cameron and the Downtown Square have been experiencing a renaissance as the community has started to renovate the historic buildings and add numerous businesses.  The downtown is now bustling with activity. In addition to the Historic Courthouse, The Milam County Museum and Railroad Museum, the downtown square now hosts Shirley Mae's renowned bakery, Cameron Coffee Co, ZX Texas Boutique and Wine Bar, General Mercantile Antique, The Venue at Railfan, The Shop on Houston, Central Avenue Bistro, Ginno's Italian, The Bling Box Boutique, 44 Farms and many more businesses. The City also hosts numerous downtown festivals, car shows and parades.