AUSTIN— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce the General Land Office's (GLO) new book, Texas Takes Shape: A History in Maps from the General Land Office. Texas Takes Shape uses the GLO’s extensive map collection to offer a comprehensive analysis of historical mapping in Texas from the early 16th century to today. It is now on sale.
"As a ninth-generation Texan, I am honored to have a hand in the production of this uniquely written history of Texas and the meticulous research that supports it," said Commissioner Buckingham. "Since its founding in 1836, the GLO has preserved thousands of precious records, maps, and documents that offer unique perspectives on the geopolitical, cultural, and economic processes that shaped the Lone Star State. It’s an honor to be able to showcase our state’s sprawling history through the extraordinary work of the GLO archivists.”
This new collectible book offers an illuminating selection from the GLO archive: over 100 maps that tell—and sometimes obscure—the stories of European colonization, Spanish and Mexican rule, the Republic of Texas, and the modern US state. The two-part, nine-chapter collection takes readers on a journey through history that defines and develops Texas through centuries of research and preservation.
Texas Takes Shape also includes a foreword, written by Commissioner Buckingham, highlighting her own ancestors' arrival in Texas and the opportunity they found working on this land. She explains, in detail, their settlement in Brazoria County along the Brazos River in present-day Bailey's Prairie, named in her ancestor's honor.
To order your copy of Texas Takes Shape, click the button below:
Order 'Texas Takes Shape' Today!
The Texas General Land Office’s map collection contains over 45,000 maps, some dating from the sixteenth century, making it one of the most important cartographic archives in Texas.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.