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Cameron Chamber makes submission to HGTV to renovate downtown square

Cameron could soon be the featured town on a popular HGTV show.

The Cameron Chamber of Commerce announced during its banquet last week that they have sent in application to HGTV’s Home Town Takeover. 

HGTV announced in early January that Ben and Erin Napier of HGTV’s Home Town would take submissions of towns to give a full makeover to in an upcoming limited series.

On their show, the Napiers have transformed their hometown of Laurel, Miss., one home at a time. They’ve not only helped rescue and enhance dozens of residences in the area, but they’ve also played a pivotal role in revitalizing Laurel’s downtown while preserving and celebrating the town’s architectural treasures, endemic charm, and historic features. The new show, called Hometown Takeover, will take the same concept and apply it to an entirely new town, from single family homes to public parks and everything in between.

The Chamber’s submission was in the form of a narrative and a short video showing the downtown square and several buildings that are ready for renovation.

The narrative said, “Home Town Takeover could not have come at a better time in history for Cameron, Texas, the Milam County seat. Milam County, once the largest county in the vast state of Texas, has a deep and rich history.  A history anchored by the railroad and agriculture both of which continue to define our community today.  Cameron is a place where you can still see the stars at night … a place where you know your neighbors … a place for children and families.  It is Home Town, Texas!”

It went on to explain that the county offices are planning to move out of downtown Cameron to the old hospital building and this will present an opportunity to reclaim the historic buildings in downtown to reclaim and uncover these buildings for business, entertainment, downtown living and to renew the courthouse square as a place for people to gather, socialize, relax and enjoy their home town.

The narrative went on to say, “As one of the oldest counties in the state there is deep and rich history throughout the city and on the square.  The square is anchored by the 1892 Milam County Courthouse.  With a few nicely renovated buildings we have a stable foundation for transformation.”

It then talked about Cameron’s great tradition of Yoe High and the history of the city and county, saying “Much of the history is centrally located on the square and many of the buildings will soon be available for a new life and new use to serve future generations.  We’d like to share with you the history of a few of the buildings on the square.  Buildings which would be ideal for the HGTV Home Take Make Over Takeover.”

The narrative focused on the JC Penney Building, where Old Town Cameron and the Railroad Museum are housed, The Bling Box, and Tex Miller’s as buildings currently in use that could use renovations in downtown.

Just a few of the buildings that are prime for renovation as shown in the video are:

• Old Town Cameron Railroad and Museum – 107 W. Main

• Milam County Annex – 103 W. Main  

• Bea’s Kitchen – 105 E. Main Street

• Milam County Juvenile Probation – 110 S. 1st Street

• Texas Agrilife Extension – 100 E. 1st Street

• The Bling Box Boutique 111 N Central Avenue

• Historic Gas station – Central Avenue and 2nd Street

• Historic Tavern – 104 S. 1st Street  

• Tex Miller’s Hamburgers – 104 N Fannin Avenue

• Milam County Clerk – 107 W. Main

• Culpepper’s Building – 109 W. Main

• Former City Police department – 308 S. Houston

You can view the video on the Chamber’s website at cameron-tx.com

The Cameron Herald

The Cameron Herald
P.O. Box 1230
Cameron, Texas 76520

Phone: 254-697-6671
Fax: 254-697-4902