The United States National Archives include over 10 million land records documenting the transfer of government land to private ownership. Because Texas was not included in the 30 public land states for which archives were preserved, the state’s unique land history is kept intact by the Texas General Land Office. As this historic tale of documentation will reveal, one man is considered responsible for the development of Texas’ first land office.
Texas’ First Land Records
The first Commissioner of the General Land Office, John Borden, was an active participant in the Texas Revolution and is credited with the initial survey and planning of Houston. After coming to Texas from New York in 1829, Borden set out on a mission to survey and document land ownership in the state. Often traveling on foot, Borden sought out ideal areas of Texas’ wide expanse and played an integral role in the preservation of pre-revolution land documents.
The General Land Office Forms Unofficially
After storing accumulating records in the homes of friends and in other impromptu spaces, Borden successfully gathered land documentation for all but five Texas colonies – a great feat in the early 19th century. As the first transporter of official land documents in Texas, John Borden moved his documents – over 5,000 pounds of information – to Austin from Houston. Once settled, Borden acquired a small staff and began to review surveyor information and make land patent recommendations.
An era of unsuccessful fundraising campaigns led Borden to throw in the towel a few short years after making the trek to Austin. Though Borden resigned from his position in 1840, Texas’ current General Land Office would not exist without his contributions.
Preserving History
Currently, many of the most treasured land records in Texas’ history are kept by the General Land Office Preservation and Education Program in an effort to safeguard these important pieces of the state’s history. Over 70,000 records relating to Texas land have been obtained. These documents outline transfer of property ownership in the state, but also include land surveys and development records.
The Future of Texas Land Records
Thanks to the General Land Office Preservation and Education Program, Texas land records are safe and secure. By applying restoration and archival techniques, experts are in the process of preserving these documents for use by future generations. The star among this extensive collection of land records is an original Austin colony map from 1833, begun by Stephen Austin and John Borden, which is more than 9 feet tall and 9 feet wide.
Do you have an interesting fact about Texas’ land history to share? Let us know in the comment section!
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