Above: “J. H. Young, A New Map of Texas with the contiguous American and Mexican States,” 1839. Map #96513, Map Collection, Archives and Records Division, Texas General Land Office, Austin, TX.”

by James Harkins, Texas General Land Office (GLO)

Texas Takes Shape: A History in Maps from the General Land Office is a visually stunning, richly curated journey through five centuries of cartographic history that features over one hundred rare and beautifully reproduced maps from the Archives of the Texas GLO. The book, published by UT Press, reveals how borders, counties, cities, and identities were drawn—and redrawn—across centuries of exploration, conflict, and change.

Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., provides a thoughtful foreword for the book, highlighting her own ancestors' arrival in Texas and the opportunity they found working on this land. She details their settlement in Brazoria County along the Brazos River in present-day Bailey's Prairie, named in her ancestor's honor.

Perfect for history buffs, educators, and anyone who loves maps,  this volume offers compelling analysis from GLO staff alongside full-page visuals that span Indigenous territory maps, Spanish land grants, Republic-era surveys, railroad expansions, and modern-day renderings. Each map tells a story—not just of land, but of the people, power struggles, and aspirations that shaped Texas over time. With essays illuminating the hidden contexts behind the maps’ lines—such as the roles of land speculators, surveyors, and settlers—Texas Takes Shape helps readers understand how maps were used to reflect reality and to shape it. “Beyond the Neatline” dives into the margins, revealing fascinating details that conventional histories often miss. These essays introduce topics such as cartographic art, the role of the church in mapping Texas, land grant programs for veterans, and an obscure nineteenth-century GLO map duplication program, among several other interesting topics.

We hope this book will encourage readers to seek out how their own Texas stories took shape. This is a central theme of the work of the Texas Historical Foundation, which generously supported this project. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing dedication to preserving and promoting Texas history through education, research, and public engagement. 

James Harkins is the Director of Public Services for the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records in Austin.

Authors: Mark Lambert, James Harkins, Brian A. Stauffer, and Patrick Walsh.

University of Texas Press, 2025

Nominations for the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards are in full swing! The Award pays tribute to the legacy of architect and former THF board member Michael Duda by recognizing outstanding contributions to the preservation of Texas architecture with monetary awards up to $100,000. The funds must be used towards completion of the project, and for many non-profits doing this work, it can transform a hopeful idea into tangible success.

In 2024, the inaugural year of the Duda Preservation Awards, the Friends of the Wheelock School House won the top prize for their efforts to restore the 1908 school. Their award is going towards the restoration of the exterior of the building, including repair and replacement of damaged wood siding, repainting of the siding, and restoration of the front and rear porches. Friends Vice-President Rena Frank said that the 2024 award “validated years of community effort and affirmed that the history we are working to preserve matters – not only to us, but to the greater story of Texas.”

Here are a few comments about the schoolhouse that were shared with us, each emphasizing its importance to the community:

“It’s because of the stories and the love my mom had for this building that I am involved with the Friends of the Wheelock School House.  I am not alone. This building is near and dear to many in the Wheelock community and continues to be a symbol for what our community stands for.” – Jerry Deal

“For many years the schoolhouse served the community as a meeting place for an array of events and activities.  I remember attending many of these events. My parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins attended school at the Wheelock school, so my affection for this historic building runs deep with memories both experienced and handed down to me.”  - Evelyn Milberger Francis

“The Wheelock School House holds so many memories for me and my family!  I am blessed to have grown up in Wheelock and to be able to raise my own family here.  I have done so many things in this building and was able to pass that on to my girls. My great, great grandmother went to school in this building, quilted in this building… it is a true blessing to our small community and one that I hope to show my future grandchildren one day.” - Courtney Marriott Kosloski

The Texas Historical Foundation is honored to be part of the story to preserve structures like the Wheelock School House. Nomination submissions for the 2026 Duda Preservation Awards close on August 8, 2025.

The deadline to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) for Fall 2025 Quarterly grants of up to $8,000 is August 15, 2025. More info...

The Texas Historical Foundation held its summer meeting in Marble Falls this month. The meeting kicked off a new fiscal year for THF. The directors thanked outgoing Board Chair Brian Costanza for his dedication and hard work in the past year serving THF. Attorney Eric Griffin and Grapevine Councilwoman Sharron Rogers will serve as the new Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Jay Minmier will serve as Secretary, and Neill Taylor will continue as the Treasurer. Directors also welcomed two new board members - Dean Hoover of Dallas and Malinda Veldman of Corsicana. 

Christopher Bacorn, Bastrop
Prichard Deering, Dallas
Suzanne Natalicchio, Richmond
Olive Talley, Dallas

Bob Bluthardt, San Angelo
Josip Galetovic, Denver

Raymond and Jennifer Sanders, Jefferson

Amon Carter Museum Library, Fort Worth
Austin Womens Club
Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History
Documentary Arts, Inc, Dallas
Farmers Branch Historical Park
Frontier Times Museum, Bandera
Goodman-LeGrand Museum, Tyler
Longview Public Library
McMurry University, Abilene
Sugarloaf Pictures LLC, Austin
Tarrant County College, Hurst
Texas Bicycle Coalition Education Fund, Austin
Texas State Library & Archives Commission, Austin
South Padre Island Historical Foundation
View all Institutional Partners

Lewis & Dilworth Family Fund
Jay Minmier
Sharron Rogers
Lane Transou