Two of John Tallis’ decorative atlas maps, Mexico, California and Texas and United States, illustrate Texas at the geographic crossroads of North America. Both maps present Texas in 1851, but the shape varies dramatically between the two. The former depicts Texas at its republic-era boundary, while the latter uses a formation proposed by a prominent U.S. Senator during negotiations for the Compromise of 1850 and does not reflect any boundary that the state ever claimed.

J.H. Colton & Co.
[New York], 1856

Similar to Austin, Texas, Washington, D.C., was a planned city constructed specifically to serve as its nation’s capital. Congress passed the Residence Act on July 16, 1790, which created a permanent seat of government for the United States to be situated on the Potomac River.[1] Again like Austin, the idea of westward expansion played a role in the capital’s location. President George Washington personally selected the site, calling it “the gateway to the interior” because he aspired to link the expanding U.S. western territories to the East Coast.[2]

Texas is the proud home to countless trailblazers. Many of these brave individuals sacrificed their personal well-being for the benefit of their fellow man. Matthew Gaines was one such individual, who nearly a century before the modern civil rights movement, risked his life to overcome tremendous obstacles and fight systemic oppression. A formerly enslaved person, who fought adversity all his life, Gaines eventually served as a state senator during the Reconstruction era (1865–1877). …

January falls in the middle of oyster season in Texas. This exciting time of year brings an increase in activity up and down the Texas Coast. As more commercial fishing vessels converge in areas like Fulton Harbor, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is committed to ensuring the public is aware of the increased risk of oil spills. …

By: Madeline Moran, 2020 Save Texas History Essay Contest 7th Grade Winner