Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has announced the release of a new historical map book showcasing the state’s cartographic heritage through centuries of archival treasures.
The book, titled Texas Takes Shape: A History in Maps from the General Land Office, is now available for purchase.
The publication draws from the General Land Office’s extensive collection of over 45,000 maps to chronicle how Texas evolved from early European exploration through modern statehood. For history enthusiasts and map collectors, the volume offers a rare glimpse into documents that shaped the Lone Star State’s boundaries and identity.
“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,” Commissioner Buckingham said. “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.”
The book features more than 100 maps spanning from the 16th century to the present day. It includes a two-part, nine-chapter format that traces Texas through periods of Spanish colonization, Mexican rule, its time as an independent republic, and eventual U.S. statehood.
Buckingham contributed a personal foreword detailing her family’s roots in Texas. She describes how her ancestors settled in Brazoria County along the Brazos River in what became Bailey’s Prairie, named in their honor.
The GLO’s map archive ranks among Texas’s most significant cartographic collections. Some documents date back five centuries, offering researchers and the public access to materials that witnessed the state’s transformation.
“It’s an honor to be able to showcase our state’s sprawling history through the extraordinary work of the GLO archivists,” Buckingham added.
The book joins other recent GLO heritage initiatives, including the Alamo Defenders Heritage Map and the 2025 Save Texas History Essay Contest for students. Orders can be placed through the Historic Texas Maps website.