Tuesday's Internet Edition, July 08, 2008.
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Apache Pass is historically significant with Old Spanish Mission sites scattered along the San Gabriel River, which were located along the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. In October 2004, the El Camino Real was designated a National Historic Trail by President George W. Bush.
The El Camino Real evolved from ancient Indian trails dating back to 1691. It became a network of roads that the Spanish used to travel from Mexico City to Nachitoches, Louisiana. Later, missions were established along the trails in the Milam County area. The missions were eventually destroyed but their locations are marked today with historical markers that were erected in 1936.
Milam County has been chosen as the location for a Texas Tourism Agency workshop and a historical conference and symposium. The two-day event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23. Speakers and workshops will focus on the impact of economic development and tourism along the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; Liz Carpenter, former press secretary to LadyBird Johnson; and, the honorable Corinne “Lindy” Boggs, United States Representative from Louisiana and US Ambassador to the Vatican, will all be featured speakers at the two-day event.
Apache Pass will be an entertainment complex open year round for concerts, rallies, retreats and more. It will feature an amphitheater with a stage that will cantilever out over the river. The complex will also have an airstrip, a helipad, a restaurant and chapel.