1892 :: Waterworks Accepted

Rockdale, Tex., March 31. -- Tuesday at 4 o'clock the test of the Rockdale waterworks took place in presence of the city government. The fire department turned out for drill with water. Everything came up to contract and was satisfactory. The city council received and settled and Rockdale will have regular water service from now on. The water supply is abundant and first class for domestic and commercial purposes. Galveston Daily News, April 1, 1892

1875 :: Name Change

On June 14, 1875, the city council, under the guidance of the first mayor, Alfred A. Burck, passed an ordinance changing the name of the town of Rockdale to the City of Rockdale, in accordance with the town's increase in population and corresponding legislative act regarding the incorporation of cities of one thousand or more inhabitants.


A History of Rockdale, Texas 1874-1974

1927 :: Rockdale Highway Bridge is Opened

Rockdale, Milam Co., Texas, July 5. -- The State Highway bridge on West Cameron street, which spans Ham Branch, the stream that separates the town proper from College Hill, was opened to traffic Monday, when hundreds of autoists passed over it out to Fair Park to participate in the Fourth of July festivities. 

The City Council recently let the contract to the Pace-Davis Company for the building of two new concrete bridges over the stream, one to be on West Bell, the other on North Ackerman street. Work will begin within the next few days. The estimated cost of the Bell street bridge is $3,000 while the new Ackerman bridge work will run close to $2,000. Dallas Morning News, July 6, 1927