The Daughters of the Republic of Texas invite the public to a ceremony and tour of the Gaines-Oliphint House in Milam

The public is invited to attend a ceremony held by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas at the Gaines-Oliphint House in Milam on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.  Two DRT Chapters, the Seth Hurin Bates Chapter in Kingwood, and the Ezekiel Cullen Chapter in San Augustine, are sponsoring the event.  Following the ceremony the public will be invited to tour the house and grounds.  There will be no charge to enter, but donations will be accepted.  

In preparation for the event, the President of the Seth Hurin Bates Chapter. Lanell Smesny, wrote two articles about the house and its owners. Below is the second and final article.

The Historic Gaines-Oliphint House

By Lanell Smesny, President-Seth Hurin Bates Chapter-Daughters of the Republic of Texas

James Taylor Gaines, an influential figure in early Texas history, played a pivotal role in the settlement of Texas. Gaines built two houses on his land grant, with the first serving as his residence, mercantile business, and ferrying house. The second was built for his in-laws. This strategic location near the ferry crossing was essential for travelers entering Texas from Natchitoches, Louisiana, on their way to Nacogdoches and other parts of Texas.

Gaines Ferry became one of the most crucial crossing points on the Sabine River. This ferry was a vital link for thousands of early pioneers and notable figures such as Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, and James Bowie. Historians estimate that more than 50,000 individuals—including Indigenous people, explorers, traders, adventurers, missionaries, desperados, post riders, smugglers, empresarios, settlers, slaves, soldiers, and statesmen—used this crossing on the Sabine River. Approximately four-fifths of the settlers coming into Texas during the time Gaines operated the ferry entered through this location. The ferry's operation continued from around 1795 to 1937, highlighting its enduring importance.

The Gaines-Oliphint House, near the Toledo Bend Reservoir, sits on 2 acres set aside for preservation within the Pendleton Harbor Subdivision. El Camino Real de Los Tejas, first blazed through Texas by the Spanish in 1691, passed about fifty yards in front of the house. This historic trail was used by many Anglo-American colonists entering the frontier from Louisiana. El Camino Real de Los Tejas, also known as the King’s Highway, was a significant route for Spanish explorers, missionaries, and settlers. The trail facilitated the Spanish colonization of Texas and was later used by Anglo-American colonists. The trail's proximity to the Gaines-Oliphint House underscores the historical significance of the area and its role in Texas' early settlement. The road and Gaines Ferry were essential for the movement of people and goods, contributing to the region's development and settlement. The continuous operation of the ferry for over a century is a testament to its importance in Texas history.

James Taylor Gaines, Gaines Ferry, and the Oliphint House are integral to understanding early Texas history. They represent the challenges and triumphs of the pioneers, settlers, and notable figures who traversed these lands. The preservation of these historical sites allows us to appreciate the rich heritage and enduring legacy of those who shaped Texas.

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas are proud to place a historic marker on the site, sharing information about this grand old house, the oldest of its kind still in existence in Texas today.

National Register of Historic Places Inventory. (1977, August 18). Oliphant House. (J. P. Williams, Ed.) Retrieved August 27, 2024, from Texas Historic Commission Texas Historic Sites Atlas