Howdy

Issued from a captured Mexican garrison in 1835, the Goliad Declaration was an early and controversial call for independence during the Texas Revolution.

The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party in 1890s Texas

Emerging from rural discontent, the Populist Party briefly reshaped Texas politics before Democrats reasserted total dominance.

James Throckmorton: The Texas Governor Ousted by the Military

The first elected governor of Texas after the U.S. Civil War, Throckmorton was removed by General Philip Sheridan for being too lenient toward ex-Confederates.

The Great Bison Slaughter of the 1870s

Hunters swept across the Texas Plains in the 1870s, killing bison at a shocking pace.

Juan “Cheno” Cortina: Caudillo of the Rio Grande

Remembered either as a folk hero or an outlaw land baron, Juan “Cheno” Cortina was a Mexican-Tejano rancher and militia leader in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1850s–1870s.

The Secession Debate in Texas

As witnessed by Thomas North, a Northern-born Unionist living in Confederate Texas.

Cassius Clay: Lincoln’s Forgotten Pick to Govern Postwar Texas

If Lincoln had lived, this man would have ruled Texas—and history might have taken a different path.

Santa Anna's Correspondence with Andrew Jackson

These 1836 letters—one from Mexico’s captured dictator, the other from President Andrew Jackson—offer a rare glimpse into the diplomacy that shaped Texas independence.

The DeWitt Colony Charter

The De Witt colony charter, signed in Saltillo in 1825, is a foundational document for understanding Texas history and the relationship between Mexican authorities and Anglo-American settlers.

The Forgotten Governorship of S. W. T. Lanham

Though largely forgotten today, Lanham was a leading statesman for 40 years, culminating in his governorship from 1903 to 1907.

The Wild West Era in Texas

From 1865 to 1900, Texas was gripped by violence as outlaws, rustlers, and fugitives clashed with sheriffs, settlers, and the Texas Rangers across a frontier defined by fragile law and rough justice.

Texapedia articles are grounded in primary sources, including Texas statutes, the state constitution, public records, and official government data. Many entries include original research based on public records requests and historical documents.

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.