History

Liberty, Texas is located in Liberty County. The community is the third oldest in the entire state, dating back to 1831. Prior to the official settlement, the area was inhabited by local, indigenous tribes who thrived off of the abundance of the region for centuries. The settlements in the region quickly displaced the native populations and began the current historical era of the region.

The town’s original founder was a Mexican land commissioner named José Francisco Madero Gaxiola. The original settlement was founded near the existing Spanish settlement of Atascosito. American squatters had been living in the area for a few years prior to the official settlement. Madero originally named the settlement, Villa de la Santísima Trinidad de la Libertad which translated to the “Village of the Most Holy Trinity of Liberty”.

The economy of the region was originally based on shipping along the Trinity River. Local farms and lumber industries used the river and the town as a center for shipping. As the years passed, the first meat packing plant in the state was built in the town furthering the importance of the region’s shipping industry.

In 1837, Liberty became the county seat and was officially incorporated. Its economy was still based on transporting goods from the surrounding area. The lumber industry was expanding during the time and the location along the Trinity River made the town an important part of the region. When the lumber industry began to wane, the oil industry began to boom. At one time Liberty was home to seventy oil companies. The town was able to function in this capacity for nearly 70 years.

Today

The population of the community is around 9,000 people. Although the population growth stalled for several years after the oil boom in the region decreased, the recent, rapid growth of the Houston metropolitan area has fueled a more recent growth.

Things to do

Liberty is home to several things to do within the community. There are several historic sites in the community that are worth checking out. One of the most interesting is the Ott Hotel. This hotel was a stop for the famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde on their way to their famous shootout in Louisiana. Legend has it that the hotel is haunted, which brings ghost hunters in from all over the area. Liberty is also the home of the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center. This center is the home to numerous record archives of many of the surrounding Texas counties.

The only replica of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell also calls the community home. Like much of the region, the town is located within lots of places to enjoy nature. The closest is the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, which offers trails, fishing, and wildlife. The community is also a short distance from Lake Houston, the Lake Houston Wilderness Park, and the Sam Houston National Forest.

The town is also home to several festivals and fairs throughout the year. The most famous is the Trinity Valley Exposition Fair & Rodeo. This fair dates back to 1909. It includes a trail ride, barbeque cook off, professional rodeo, and a carnival.