B.C. Milam & Son - Frankfort, KY
B.C. Milam & Son reels were made from about 1903 to 1927. John W. Milam, Benjamin's son, was made a partner in 1890 after he was an apprentice for 14 years. The first reels were marked in a straight line B.C. Milam & Son similar to that of John's father Benjamin. Earlier, B.C. Milam had already incorporated the phrase "The Frankfort Kentucky Reel" in an arch above his name. The reels would later be marked B.C. Milam & Son under the arch. The most interesting of the B.C. Milam & Son reels are the ones with large jewels for the spool bearings. These are scarce variations of the reels that were made in later years by John. The B.C. Milam & Son reels were made until 1928 when John Milam passed away.
John Milam was born in Frankfort, KY in 1859. John attended the private school of J.W. Dodd in preparation for college, but left at the age of 17 to join his father's business. He worked as an apprentice under his father and continued in the reel making business for about 52 years. Like his father, he was also a businessman and interested in the community. He was a Director in the National Branch Bank of Frankfort and president of the Frankfort Cemetery Company. He was treasurer of his church, past exalted ruler of Frankfort Lodge No. 530 and member of the Knights of Pythias.
B.C. Milam & Son were very proud of their reels and were always interested in showing off their craftsmanship. They took their reels to the World Expos around the modern world and received recognition and rewards. The two medals below are from a relative of Milam that are mentioned in the B.C. Milam & Son Catalog.
The B.C. MILAM & SON No. 2 Reel, circa 1910
The B.C. MILAM & SON Full Jeweled No. 3 Reel, circa 1902
The B.C. MILAM & SON Jeweled No. 3 Reel, circa 1910
The B.C. MILAM & SON No. 3 Reel, circa 1910
The B.C. MILAM & SON No. 4 Tournament Reel, circa 1910
The B.C. MILAM & SON No. 4 Salmon Reel, circa 1910
B.C. MILAM & SON 1900 Catalog Pages
B.C. MILAM & SON No. 9 Reel
B.C. MILAM & SON 1897 Ad
B.C. MILAM & SON 1903 Ad in "Outing" Magazine
B.C. MILAM & SON Reel in "1904 VL&A Catalog"
B.C. MILAM & SON 1907 Ad
B.C. MILAM & SON 1905 Catalog Page
The B.C. MILAM & SON Medal from the 1900 World Expo in Paris
The B.C. MILAM & SON Medal from the 1904 World Expo in St. Louis
The B.C. MILAM & Son Sign from Their Shop
The B.C. MILAM & Son Advertising Sign, circa 1902
Outing Magazine, "Evolution of the Kentucky Reel", by Dr. James A. Henshall, Dec. 1900
Forrest and Stream Magazine, "History of the Kentucky Reel", Interview with J. L. Sage, Jan. 1915
Forrest and Stream Magazine, "More About The Kentucky Reel", Dr. James A. Henshall, Feb. 1915
Field & Stream, "The Kentucky Reel", by Robert Lincoln Page, March, 1930
Field & Stream, "My Old Kentucky Reel", by A.J. McClane, January, 1953