A Town Built on Rails

Before highways and interstates, railroads were the pulse of progress in Texas. They didn’t just connect cities—they built them. And in the heart of Milam County, the tracks that converged in Cameron shaped the town’s destiny.

The Rise of Railroads in Texas

By the late 19th century, railroads had transformed Texas, connecting cities, driving economic growth, and reshaping the way people lived and worked. With over 9,000 miles of track laid by 1900—making it the most extensive rail network in the South—Texas became a hub of transportation and commerce.

Towns that secured rail lines flourished, while those that didn’t often faded into obscurity. Cameron, determined to thrive, competed fiercely with Rockdale for dominance in Milam County. The arrival of multiple rail lines solidified its status as the county seat, making it a bustling center of trade and transportation.

For Cameron, the arrival of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway (GC&SF) and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway (SA&AP) transformed the town into a vital transportation hub. These railroads weren’t just moving freight—they were bringing people, businesses, and opportunities, helping Cameron secure its status as Milam County’s seat.

Tower 52: A Key to Cameron’s Railroad Success

Cameron has a deep-rooted history tied to the golden age of railroads, and at the heart of this story stands Tower 52. This small but mighty interlocking tower played a critical role in keeping trains moving safely through the bustling rail junction, shaping the town’s growth and economic prosperity.

As rail traffic increased, the need for a structured and safe way to manage train crossings became crucial. On July 21, 1904, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RCT) commissioned Tower 52 to oversee an electric interlocker at the Cameron crossing. This technology allowed trains from different rail lines—namely, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway (GC&SF) and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway (SA&AP)—to safely navigate intersecting tracks.

Initially, Tower 52 controlled 21 functions operated by 17 levers, ensuring that signals, switches, and sidings functioned smoothly. By the end of 1930, that number had more than doubled to 43, reflecting Cameron’s growing importance as a rail hub. Additional sidings, industry spurs, and exchange tracks were added over the years, reinforcing the tower’s role in keeping the town’s rail system running efficiently.

The Lasting Legacy of Cameron’s Railroads

Though the golden era of rail travel has passed, Cameron’s railroad heritage remains a source of pride. Tower 52 may no longer guide the trains, but its legacy endures in the tracks that still run through town and in the stories of those who remember the days when steam engines ruled the rails.

Cameron’s past is written in the rhythm of the rails. Though the golden age of railroads has passed, their impact remains in the town’s foundations, reminding us how steel tracks once built Texas dreams.

Want to dive deeper into this history? Visit the Milam County Railroad Museum - Old Town Cameron and explore the stories behind the rails.