Established in 1837, the Archives consist of land grant records and maps dating to the 16th century that detail the passage of Texas public lands to private ownership.
- The GLO Archives and Records is home to more than 35.5 million documents and 45,000 maps, dating back to the year 1561, tracing the history of Texas' public lands.
- These records are housed in a state-of-the-art archival vault, with pass-card access, constantly monitored temperature and humidity, UV filtered lighting, dedicated HVAC and air cleaning systems, and gas, non-ozone polluting fire control systems to provide the best, safest, most secure environment for the preservation of these historic archival resources for generations to come.
- A vital resource for surveyors, genealogists, lawyers, historians, landmen, archeologists, educators, geographers, state employees and other business and industry experts working on diverse projects of varying economic impact and scope across the state of Texas.
- Home to one of the most well-respected archival scanning operations in the state. Responsible for scanning and placing online over 2.5 million documents and maps over the last ten years, and scanning an additional 20,000 documents every month.
- The scanning resource for several state agencies and non profit organizations, including TSLAC, TSPB, TPWD, the Austin History Center, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and currently assisting with disaster recovery efforts along the Texas Gulf Coast in response to Hurricanes Ike and Rita by scanning and making available over 200,000 documents.
- Saving Texas history through the conservation of historic maps and documents signed by or about, among others, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, David Crockett, William B. Travis, Juan Seguin, Lorenzo de Zavala, John O. Meusebach and countless other Texas heroes who served in the Texas Revolution, lived in the Republic of Texas, the Confederate State of Texas, and tens-of-thousands of other settlers with stories all their own.
- No money is appropriated for the conservation of historic maps and documents at the GLO. Document and map conservation is entirely funded through grants and public donations.
- An important resource for genealogical research in Texas that has helped thousands of Texans secure entry into lineage groups like the DRT, DAR, SRT, SCV and other groups.
- Provides TEKS-correlated educational resources and strategies for 4th and 7th grade Texas history teachers and students through innovative workshops, field trips, lesson plans and guides.
- The GLO collaborates with many historical associations, museums, universities, lineage societies, other state agencies, and other groups to preserve and provide important Texas history resources to the people of Texas.
- GLO archival tours provide a great experience for citizens from across the state visiting Austin and are available at no charge!