Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center

Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center. . A regional historical depository constructed in 1976-1977 by the Texas Library and Historical Commission to serve the ten southeast Texas counties carved from the original Atascosito Liberty District of the Republic of Mexico. These counties are Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler. The purpose of the Texas Regional Depository Program is to provide fireproof preservation and protected access to official and private records and papers of historical interest. This depository, operated in cooperation with Lamar University, has been expanded to provide teaching and research facilities and valuable library collections on Texas history, general history, government, and religion., Establishment of this center was sponsored by the Atascosito Historical Society, organized in 1973. All funds for construction were contributed by foundations and individuals whose names are inscribed in the donors' book in the foyer. The 110 acre site, donated to the state by former Governor and Mrs. Price Daniel, is on the league of land granted by the Mexican government to B.W. Hardin in 1831. The Hardin Cemetery adjoins on the north. The site is on the original road from Atascosito to Nacogdoches. One-half mile to the south is the site of the 1756 Spanish outpost of Atascosito, the Atascosito Springs, and the crossing of the Atascosito Road, an area which was used successively as an Indian camp, Spanish fort, Mexican fort, first Anglo village in the region, and forerunner of the present city of Liberty. The name of the town and the district (Municipalidad) was changed to Liberty in 1831. As approved by the donors, this center honors "All citizens and organizations of the region who contributed to its history and culture and to its spiritual and material development."