Texas History is a HUGE subject. Tackling Texas History is almost as big a task as tackling American History! To make it a little bit easier, Texas history can be divided into three basic time periods:
- exploration and development
- revolution and development of the Republic
- becoming a state and beyond.
Not surprisingly, searching for Texas History resources on the internet is also a huge task. Digging through them can be daunting! (Did you know that searching for resources on Stephen F. Austin can be a bit tricky, since there are so many search results for the city of Austin, the Stephen F. Austin university and other Stephen F. Austin cemeteries, park and whatnot? Oy!)
![800px-Panoramic_bluebonnets_1](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/800px-Panoramic_bluebonnets_11.jpg)
I’ve scoured the internet, dug through the unrelated resources and the broken links, and come up with a huge, no, ULTIMATE list of links to help homeschoolers study Texas History at home. To help you dig through the information a little easier, I’ve decided it into three main categories:
- General Texas History Information
- Existing Curriculum and Unit Studies for Texas History
- Crafting Your Own DIY History Curriculum or Unit Study
General Texas History Information
I haven’t provided *every* source I found with Texas History information, but I have tried to include a large variety of sources for comparison and research. Some of these are very similar, some of them provide additional information.
![TexasHistory](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TexasHistory-450x499.jpg)
General History Information
Obtain an overview of Texas History from early explorers to modern day:
Famous People from Texas History
- Famous Texans
- Giants of Texas History
- Key figures from the 1700’s & 1800’s
- Notable people that played key roles in the development of Texas prior to 1900.
- Notable people from Texas, from the Republic of Texas to present, divided by time period.
- Presidents & Vice Presidents of the Republic
Additionally, you can find even more information about the following key figures. Many books, movies and websites have been dedicated to these famous men.
Trying to decide who to include here is like trying to decide what kind of fudge to buy in a fudge shop – I want them all! Did I leave out someone that you think should have made the cut? Tell me who.
![Davy Crockett by John Gadsby Chapman](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Davy_Crockett_by_John_Gadsby_Chapman.jpg/256px-Davy_Crockett_by_John_Gadsby_Chapman.jpg)
Stephen F. Austin
Jim Bowie
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
![Sam Houston at San Jacinto](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Sam_Houston_at_San_Jacinto.jpg)
Anson Jones
![Anson_jones](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Anson_jones.png)
Mirabeau B. Lamar
- Mirabeau B. Lamar on Texas State Library & Archives Commission
- Mirabeau B. Lamar on Lone Star Junction
- Mirabeau B. Lamar on Texas State Historical Association
Z.N. Morrell
Jose Antonio Nevarro
- Jose Nevarro on Texas State Library & Archives Commission
- Jose Nevarro on Lone Star Junction
- Jose Nevarro on Texas State Historical Association
Thomas J. Rusk
Juan Seguin
- Juan Seguin on Wikipedia
- Juan Seguin on Texas State Library & Archives Commission
- Juan Seguin on Texas State Historical Association
William B. Travis
- William B. Travis on Wikipedia
- William B. Travis on Lone Star Junction
- William B. Travis on Texas State Historical Association
- William B. Travis on Academic Kids
Lorenzo de Zavala
Important Events & Places in Texas History
There are MANY significant events in Texas history, many battles fought along the path to freedom and then annexation with the United States. Many significant events have occurred since then, too. I could have chosen to include more current events, such as the assassination of John Kennedy. However, for this section I chose to focus on events significant to the story of becoming an independent country and then a state in the nation.
Battle at the Alamo
- The Alamo on Texas State Historical Association
- Remember the Alamo Podcast from PBS (Scroll down through past podcasts and click “Listen Now.”)
Battle of Concepcion
Battle of Fort Velasco
- Battle of Velasco on Lone Star Junction
- “Come and Take It” and the Battle of Velasco on Texas Escapes
Battle of Gonzales
Battle of Salado Creek
Goliad Massacre![Introduccion Constitucion de 1824](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Introduccion_Constitucion_de_1824.png/256px-Introduccion_Constitucion_de_1824.png)
Mexican-American War
- Mexican-American War on About.com
- Mexican-American War on HistoryGuy.com
- Mexican-American War on Wikipedia
The Constitution of 1824
- The Constitution of 1824 (and beyond) on Lone Star Junction
- The Constitution of 1824 on Texas State Historical Association
Texas Facts & Symbols
![320px-Bluebonnets_en_Texas_2](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/320px-Bluebonnets_en_Texas_2.jpg)
There are many symbols and icons that Texans hold dear to their hearts – everything from armadillos to cowboy hats, bluebonnets to Mockingbirds. Do you know the state tree, food or insect? Here you’ll find interesting state symbols but also trivia, facts and maps.
- 50 Texas Facts and Trivia
- Bluebonnets
- Historical Maps of Texas
- Online Teacher’s Guide
- Texas State Symbols
- Texas Trivia and Facts
The Natives of Texas
![indians](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/indians.png)
Yes, when the explorers arrived, this land was not empty! There were many Indian tribes living in this large area we now call our home state. Indian arrowheads can still be found in some areas. Find out which Indian tribes lived in your part of Texas.
- The Indians of Texas
- Texas Indians
- Texas Indians at Texas Beyond History
- Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
Interesting Native Indians from Texas’ past:
Existing curriculum and unit studies for Texas History
There are actually several existing Texas History options already — though I wasn’t able to find as much curriculum as I thought I would. I’ve included them and also unit study type resources, as well as DIY unit studies from some homeschool bloggers.
![Discover Texas Online - Texas History Curriculum for Home and Christian Schools 2012-08-09 01-04-32](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Discover-Texas-Online-Texas-History-Curriculum-for-Home-and-Christian-Schools-2012-08-09-01-04-32.jpg)
Texas History Curriculum
- Discover Texas: Adventures in Texas History
- Sam Houston’s Republic, by Lynne Basham Tagawa – Texas History in narrative/literature form, written from a Christian worldview and endorsed by both Linda Lacour Hobar and Susan B. Weir.
- My Texas – Our Land Publications
Texas History & State of Texas Unit Studies
- Deep In the Heart of Texas: Texas Social Studies Unit from Teachers Pay Teachers
- Texas State Unit Study on About.com
- Texas History Study Materials at VIS Enterprises (Click through the links in the red menu bar to see the different materials available.)
![320px-Mission_Concepcion_San_Antonio](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/320px-Mission_Concepcion_San_Antonio.jpg)
Texas History Studies Compiled by Other Bloggers
- Resources for Building a Texas State Unit Study
- Texas Independence Day
- Texas Unit Study from Cookie’s Domain
![640px-One-room_school,_Deaf_Smith_County,_TX_Museum_IMG_4860](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/640px-One-room_school_Deaf_Smith_County_TX_Museum_IMG_4860.jpg)
How to craft your own DIY Texas Homeschool Curriculum
Creating your own Texas History can seem daunting — okay it can BE daunting!! But it really isn’t as difficult as it seems. You just need a plan of action.
Here are two articles about how to craft your own unit study to give you a helping hand.
- How to Create Unit Studies ~ The Happy Housewife
- Unit Study Planning ~ Cindy West, Our Journey Westward
I’ve already given you TONS and TONS of history information so far in this post. You don’t have to include it all.. in fact, I wouldn’t! Start small, next time you repeat Texas History, dig deeper. And so on, and so forth.
Here’s an additional list of resources that you can add to the history information above and come up with a Texas History unit study all your own.
Books about Texas and Texas History
Younger![](http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1585360198&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=bringinggoodh-20&ServiceVersion=20070822)
Middle
- A Line in the Sand : The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence : Gonzales, Texas, 1836 (Dear America Series)
- Between Two Worlds: The Legend of Quanah Parker
- Buried Treasures of Texas
- Jamestown’s American Portraits: All for Texas: A Story of Texas Liberation
- State Shapes: Texas
- Texas (From Sea to Shining Sea)
- Texas (Hello U.S.A.)
- Texas History (State Studies) (And the rest of the “State Studies: Texas” books.)
Older
- A Cartoon History of Texas
- The Alamo: The Battle for Texas (Milestones in American History)
- Bold Women in Texas History
- Fire in the Cane Field: The Federal Invasion of Louisiana and Texas, January 1861-January 1863
- Johnny Texas
- Texas Cowboys: Memories of the Early Days
- The Texas Rangers: Men of Valor and Action
Movies About Texas and Texas History
Other Websites, Printables, Etc.
![Portal to Texas History2](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Portal-to-Texas-History2.jpg)
- Davy Crockett coloring page, Davy Crockett coloring page 2, Davy Crockett coloring page 3
- Davy Crockett, Tall Tales & History -Lesson
- The Portal to Texas History
- Sam Houston coloring page
- Sam Houston coloring page 2
- Texas History on Lonestar.edu
- Texas History on teacheroz.com
- Texas Printables from Enchanted Learning
- Texas Senate Kids Section
- Texas Unit Study and Texas Printables from About.com
![Texas capitol day](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Texas_capitol_day.jpg/512px-Texas_capitol_day.jpg)
Field Trips
One of the neatest things about the digital age is the ability to take virtual field trips! From our laptop we can view the world around us. There are several virtual field trip sites available for Texas.
![San Antonio Missions National Historical Park - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 2012-08-02 21-21-19](https://classichousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/San-Antonio-Missions-National-Historical-Park-San-Antonio-Missions-National-Historical-Park-2012-08-02-21-21-19.jpg)
If you’re local enough to visit some historical landmarks in person, that’s even better! One of my favorite “Texas History” places to visit is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. It’s 3 stories of Texas history!
- The Alamo
- Battleship Texas
- Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
- Chazimal National Memorial Park
- El Camino Real
- Fort Davis
- Institute of Texan Cultures (Check out their “Education” section, too.)
- LBJ Presidential Library & Museum
- Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture
- Palo Alto
- Pioneer Farms Living History Park
- Port Isabel Light House
- Sam Houston Memorial Museum
- San Antonio Missions
- San Jacinto Museum of History
- State Capitol Building
- Texas Historic Sites Atlas (search for historic sites by county.)
- Texas Independence Trail
- Texas Parks & Wildlife – Historical Locations
- Texas State Cemetery
- Washington-On-The-Brazos
What a list! This list can be updated periodically. Please email me with additions, corrections, broken links, etc. Thanks!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this and would love to link it into my Ultimate Guide of Early US History…..let me know if you are ok with that….and I will be sharing and pinning this with my readers. Texas plays a huge part in our country and everyone should be aware of their history!
Go for it! I just added my “Pinnable Image” to the top. =)
I love how you’ve broken it down!
Thank you, Ticia!
Woohoo!! Go Amber!! What an awesome resource!! I’ve got to pin this for later!
Your enthusiasm makes me smile, Katie! =)
My kids are fascinated by Texas so these are sure to be helpful links. Thanks for a very well organized resource!
Yay! I’m glad this is helpful. Have fun!
You’ve compiled such a huge amount of information here, Amber–very comprehensive post!
Thank you, Judy! (And yet, I still left so much out!)
Wow – its a lot of info! Thanks for all your work compiling this.
It’s A LOT, isn’t it?! I’m glad I did it. I didn’t know how much there was to it when I began, and I learned a lot!
I don’t live in Texas, but we’ll be studying all 50 states this year (and American history) in our homeschool and I’ll be sure to check out all these wonderful topics and links. I saw a very funny bumper sticker when traveling out west one time which said: “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!” I’m looking forward to learning about the great state of Texas this year.
Finding this makes me so happy! I was not looking forward to researching all of this myself so I am very grateful that you did. What a blessing to have so much helpful information in one place. Thank you so much!
I’m so glad to help!
[…] I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my Ultimate Guide to Texas History, which does have links to paid resources but also has lots and LOTS of links to free Texas History […]
[…] out the Ultimate Guide to Texas History over at Classic […]
I just wanted to applaud you! Our family just moved to Tx.I want to spend some time getting to know our new state this year and had NO idea where to even look for info. I started searching… and searching… and searching! THANK YOU for helping us get to know our new home!
Thank you so much for taking the extra time to share all of these Texas finds into one place! We are going to study Texas history next semester and I was starting to research. Now I won’t have to do nearly as much. Thank you! Kristen
We will be going to some of the special reenactments of Texas history. They are fun and make the history come alive. You can find the link to all 2014 dates here
http://Www.texasarmy.org
THANK YOU!!!! I’ve been researching TX history to start in the spring and you have such a wonderful resource here. Thank you for all your work and time into creating it.
I love what you’ve done here, and thanks so much for the hat tip to Discover Texas. Since you first posted, we’ve totally updated our program and website. If you have a moment, I’d love it if you could update the Discover Texas address and image at http://www.discovertexasonline.com. I know your site is a huge benefit to Texas homeschoolers. Thanks!
Thank you so much! What a blessing to a first year homeschool mom!
You simply must include the Star of the Republic Museum in Washington on the Brazos State Park. It’s fantastic. Very nondescript…almost ugly from the outside, but really great exhibits on the inside. It’s the only museum in TX dedicated to the history of Texas before it became a state.
My 4 kids loved it, and the oldest 2 even tried out a scavenger hunt the curator gave them.
Wow! Thank you thank you thank you! We just moved to Texas and are behind on Texas history so this is perfection!
[…] Texas History Unit, fall semester – I really want to do a Texas history unit with the kids because it’s been a while. Catie will do this with us, and she’ll do government next year. […]
Great resource! But the link godandtexas to order The Texas God Created doesn’t have anything to do with books. Where can I order them?
Thank you & Blessings!
Lisa
Hi, Lisa,
Thanks for pointing that out! I have googled and searched and I can’t find it anywhere. I have no idea what happened to it.. =(
The Texas God Created was written by Dana Buckley, who was a member of a group called Texian Christian Writers. In order to give themselves more time to write, I believe, they turned the printing over a few years ago to the Johnson Printing Service, who still publishes several of their titles. Currently you can order this book (and several others) at http://www.orders.jpsgraphics.com/godandtexas.asp.
Thank you, Lynn! I wasn’t certain if that was the right one or not. =)
[…] know I’ve only scratched the surface here. I do have a longer list in my (Ultimate Homeschool Guide to Texas History.) Here, I wanted to include a variety of opportunities all across the state. Speaking of […]
[…] to be taught in a classroom or co-op group. I’ve already compiled a ginormous resource for teaching Texas History for you. But it really is ginormous, there’s a lot to dig through, and a ton of options. I […]
cur click.com looks like its closed.
Thank you for all the info! I’m going back and forth between The Texas God Created and Discover Texas online. Anyone here have a recommendation between those 2??
Great resources I’ve never seen before! I hope you might include freefuntexashistory.wordpress.com, which I created for my son and shared for other young homeschoolers wanting to study Texas history.