Local History
Why Falls County is called Falls County
The county is named after a natural waterfall on the Brazos River. Early settlers used it as a landmark.
Falls County was created by the Texas Legislature on January 28, 1850. It was formed from parts of Limestone and Milam counties.
The name comes from the falls of the Brazos River. Those falls are a natural rocky drop in the river. Early travelers and settlers used the spot to cross the river and make camp. It was a key stop for people moving through Central Texas.
Americans began settling the area in 1834 and 1835 through Sterling C. Robertson's Nashville colony. The first settlement was called Sarahville de Viesca. It sat on the west side of the falls. Later the settlement was renamed Fort Milam.
The falls still exist today. You can visit them at Falls-on-the-Brazos County Park, off FM 712 southwest of Marlin.
Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — Falls County