Keeping Track Of Who Owns What
Standing only a few hundred yards from the Capitol Building, on
the same campus, is the old General Land Office.
Built in 1857, the General Land Office Building is the oldest state
office building in Texas. From 1858 until 1918 it served as
headquarters for the agency charged with overseeing the tracts of
public lands. Its duties included maintaining the files and titles for
lands, as well as drafting official maps of the state.
The building was part of the renovation project undertaken in the
early 1990's and opened in 1994 as the Capitol Visitors' Bureau.
It has all sorts of fun, interactive exhibits, short films and genuine
old-fashioned memorabilia to teach children of all ages about
Lone Star State history and heritage.
Standing only a few hundred yards from the Capitol Building, on
the same campus, is the old General Land Office.
Built in 1857, the General Land Office Building is the oldest state
office building in Texas. From 1858 until 1918 it served as
headquarters for the agency charged with overseeing the tracts of
public lands. Its duties included maintaining the files and titles for
lands, as well as drafting official maps of the state.
The building was part of the renovation project undertaken in the
early 1990's and opened in 1994 as the Capitol Visitors' Bureau.
It has all sorts of fun, interactive exhibits, short films and genuine
old-fashioned memorabilia to teach children of all ages about
Lone Star State history and heritage.
Gotta Love The Ladies
In 1918, when the agency moved to larger
quarters, the Daughters of the Republic of
Texas and the United Daughters of the
Confederacy stepped in to save the building
and turn it into a museum.
In 1918, when the agency moved to larger
quarters, the Daughters of the Republic of
Texas and the United Daughters of the
Confederacy stepped in to save the building
and turn it into a museum.
Hangin' With The Map Maker
One of the most important jobs in the early state
government was the accurate drawing of land title maps.
The governor, at the time the office was established,
enlisted some of the state's leading artists to work with
surveyors to perform the task. Behind Brent you can see
the building when it was first built.
One of the most important jobs in the early state
government was the accurate drawing of land title maps.
The governor, at the time the office was established,
enlisted some of the state's leading artists to work with
surveyors to perform the task. Behind Brent you can see
the building when it was first built.
Ya Big Teaser...
We did find something we DIDN'T like, as you
can see, Brent laments the signs that forbid
visitors from climbing the amazing trees on
the grounds.
We did find something we DIDN'T like, as you
can see, Brent laments the signs that forbid
visitors from climbing the amazing trees on
the grounds.
The Budding Engineer...Or Not
Standing in the fully-restored Map Maker's
Drafting Room, Kate gazes at the Capitol
Building - see below photo for her view.
Standing in the fully-restored Map Maker's
Drafting Room, Kate gazes at the Capitol
Building - see below photo for her view.
Giddy-Up and Git Along Little Dowggie
Hop-Along here, hangs on his trusty steed in
his rather ill-fitting chaps, gloves and
all-important Lone Star hat.
Hop-Along here, hangs on his trusty steed in
his rather ill-fitting chaps, gloves and
all-important Lone Star hat.
View From The Surveyor's Drafting Room
This is Kate's view through the old-fashioned
telescope.
This is Kate's view through the old-fashioned
telescope.
Preparin' For Retirement, Lone Star Style
The quilts on the walls are all hand sewn and
this rocking chair was made in the area -
everything has been done with a mind toward
state pride.
The quilts on the walls are all hand sewn and
this rocking chair was made in the area -
everything has been done with a mind toward
state pride.
Would You Trust Your Treasures To This Relic?
One of the original safes from the Capitol
Building is on display in the Visitors' Center.
The safes were all beautifully painted not just for
looks but to distinguish one from the other -
helping with logging of valuables.
One of the original safes from the Capitol
Building is on display in the Visitors' Center.
The safes were all beautifully painted not just for
looks but to distinguish one from the other -
helping with logging of valuables.
Journeys
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| October 2005 |
General Land Office
