MILAM COUNTY TEXAS - A History of Rockdale Texas (GENERAL LAND OFFICE)
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lynna Kay Shuffield for the
Milam County Genealogical Society
milamco@yahoo.com
July 26, 2001
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GENERAL LAND OFFICE
TEXAS LAND MEASURE

Unit of measure: The vara = 33~/3 inches, 36 varas = 100 feet. 1900.8 varas = one mile = 
5280 feet. 5645.4 square varas = one acre = 4840 square yards = 43,560 square feet. One 
league = 5000.0 varas square = 4428.4 acres = 13,889 feet square. One labor = 1000.0 
varas square = 177.1 acres = 2,778 feet square. 1900.8 varas square = 640.0 acres = 5280 
feet square 1344.0 varas square = 320.0 acres = 3733 feet square. 950.4 varas square— 
160.0 acres = 2640 feet square. To reduce varas to feet—multiply by 100, then divide by 
36. To reduce feet to varas—multiply by 36, then divide by 100. To reduce square varas 
to acres—multiply by 177, then divide by 1,000,000. To reduce square feet to acres—
multiply by 23, then divide by 1,000,000.

Deed Records

Deed Records Vol. 41, p. 93: Election held May 18, 1874, for the town of Rockdale. 
Majority voted for: "the inhabitants of the town of Rockdale are incorporated . . ." one 
square mile, the center of which is Bell & Main, known as the city of Rockdale. Signed 
by J. C. Rogers, presiding judge. At the July meeting, 1874 of the commissioner's court 
of Milam Co. Seal Dec. 5, 1874. Filed Dec. 11, 1874. (Minutes of Commissioner's Court 
of Milam (?o. vol A p 13) , . ,

Deed Record B-1, p. 354: Ordinance passed for changing the name of the "town of 
Rockdale to the City of Rockdale." Passed in council unanimously and approved June 14, 
1875. A. A. Burck, mayor. Filed Sept. 1, 1875.

	Deed Record A-1, p. 450-451: The deed for the streets and lots for the town of 
Rockdale. Filed with a map by the l&GN Railroad Co. The town contains 35 blocks of 
lots, is situated on the line of the railroad upon the Wm. Allen survey Both sides of the 
track marked railroad reservation. Sealed by l&ON, July 15; 1874. G. A. Grow, 
President. Filed Sept. 2, 1874. Recorded Sept. 4, 1874. J. Nabours, clerk. (flat Book 2, p. 
33)