The Tonkawa: Early citizens of Central Texas
The Tonkawa Tribes were among the earliest people living on the land that we now call Central Texas.
This Native American Tribe once called an area from Hillsboro to San Antonio their territory. Although it was disputed by and fought over by many tribes prior to the Spanish Exploration and American Colonial Settlement Eras of Texas History.
In fact, that section of the sprawling State of Texas would, of course, include our own Milam County. Now it stands to reason that the Tonkawas certainly would have made their mark on our county and our state. And They Did! These early Texans unknowingly left their imprint by leaving artifacts of their culture and everyday life here in Central Texas.
From Sugarloaf Mountain near Gause to the Spanish Mission sites on the El Camino Real near Apache Pass, we have evidence of a past civilization here in our own backyard. By making their home here, the Native American Indian Tribes, like the Tonkawa, have indeed been recognized among the earliest citizens of Milam County.
The Tonkawa seem to have no clear ethnic origin, but their language is similar to that of the Coahuiltecan Tribes of the South Texas Plains, who were also a hunter-gatherer tribe. The name Tonkawa is derived from the Wacoan Tribe’s term “tonkaweya” meaning “they all stay together.” However, the Tonkawa people called themselves “tickanwatic” which translates to “those most like human beings.” This name may not have been an ego trip, a brag, or a boast for the Tonkawa, but a reference to their self-believed peaceful nature. That is true, unless the Tonkawa were provoked.
The early Spanish Explorers and Spanish Missionaries that came to Texas viewed the Tonkawa as “innately evil.” This observation stems from the Tonkawas’ lack of interest in Spanish Mission life. In other words, they did not cooperate with the Spaniards in the 1700’s. After all, Tonkawa warriors on the plains were very independent. They were an extremely mobile people, not a tribe content to stay in one location behind the walls of an 18th century mission complex. But, the Tonkawa were no more war-like than any other plains tribe, for example the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache.
The Tonkawa were a nomadic tribe, meaning they moved from place to place hunting and gathering food. They wandered and sometimes claimed the prairies of South Central Texas between the Colorado and Trinity Rivers.
This would include the lands surrounding the Brazos River and the Brazos Valley, or our home turf. But, did all the Tonkawas wander in search of food? Maybe not, because evidence shows that some Tonkawas in Central Texas were cave dwellers. They seem to bridge a gap between two cultures of Native Americans, the Hunter-Gatherer Tribes like all Plains Indians and the more stationary cave dwellers of the Texas Hill Country.
Like other Plains Indians, the Tonkawa followed the bison, or buffalo. These animals provided them materials for their tents, the dwelling that sheltered their families. And, naturally the buffalo provided meat and tools the Tonkawa needed to survive. From horns to hooves every part of the buffalo was used by the Native Americans, with nothing wasted. Plus, this tribe also hunted and ate deer, antelope, and other smaller game. They gathered roots, berries, fruits, and nuts. They were especially fond of pecans. All these items added to the Tonkawa diet and were easily obtained along the river valleys of Central Texas.
While the Tonkawas were usually despised by other tribes and regarded as ill-natured people, they were usually the most likely tribe to be at peace with the Anglo, or white settlers. Even Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin were both able to negotiate treaties with the Tonkawa. They were the only tribe invited to live among the Texans in the days of the Texas Republic. However, unlike American and European settlers in Texas, the Tonkawa planted few crops and only succumbed to a stationary lifestyle when it became convenient for them.
An example of this change can be seen in the Spanish Mission Era of the 1700’s and on land that is now in present-day Milam County. At that time, specific Tonkawa groups called the Yojuane, Mayeye, Ervipiame, and Rancheria Grande sought safety and refuge in the three missions on the “San Xavier” - now the San Gabriel River.
The Tonkawa felt compelled to seek protection among the Spanish priests at the San Xavier Mission and the soldiers at a nearby Presidio, or Spanish fort. Yet this plan did not work out in favor of the Tonkawas. This area of the San Gabriel River was also claimed by the Apache and frequented by the hostile Lipan Apaches, another nomadic Plains Tribe.
The Apache were more war-like than the Tonkawas. The hostile Lipan attacked the Xavier Missions, killing priests, soldiers, and many Tonkawa. The missions were burned and abandoned after the massacre.
Then the remaining Tonkawa tribes dispersed, moving further southwest towards Austin and the Hill Country. But, evidence of the Tonkawa Confederacies, or organized groups, have been found at the historic mission sites now in Southern Milam County. Archeologists and anthropologists from several universities in Texas have spent time excavating these and other sites in Milam County. The artifacts found at these sites reveal where the Tonkawa and other Native American Cultures traveled and lived in our area of Texas.
Ever find an arrowhead? It has never been unusual to find evidence of Native American peoples in Central Texas. Places like Sugarloaf Mountain near Gause, the caves at Mother Neff State Park near McGregor, Tonkawa Falls at Clifton, Falls on the Brazos Park near Marlin, or even the Little River bottom lands at Cameron, all lend a glimpse into the existence of past cultures in our area. But please remember, these and many other places with historic pasts are on state or federal protected land or on private property. So do not go “arrowhead hunting” at these locations.
Never remove artifacts from any land that you do not own or have the property owners permission to do so. The solution to seeing artifacts is simple. Visit the Milam County Historical Museum in downtown Cameron. Here you will find displays of mission artifacts, arrowhead collections, Native American stone tools, and even a few dinosaur fossils from the really way-way-way back days.
An invitation is extended for you to come look into the rich history of Milam County - from the ancient Tonkawas to modern Texans. Come visit the Milam County Historical Museum on Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum’s address is 112 W. First Street in Cameron. Also, the 1895 Old Jail Museum located at 201 E. Main Street in Cameron is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment on Wednesday through Friday.
We hope to see you soon!