About the Collection

Using a broad definition of Texana – not just materials about Texas, but works by Texas writers, works printed/published in Texas, and the work of Texas artists and illustrators – UNT Libraries’ Special Collections houses unique items that showcase the diverse history, culture, and art of the Lone Star State.

The Texana Collections are supported by the Porter-Evans Endowment, established by former UNT librarian Louise Evans in honor of Hinton Porter and G.L. “Jake” Evans. Mr. Porter, a long-time friend of the Louise Evans, had a career as a railway conductor, merchant marine in WWII and was a successful rancher in Ponder, Texas. Mr. Evans, the donor’s brother, served in the US Army field artillery during WWII and was a contract builder in Texas for many years.

Highlights of the Texana Collections include manuscript materials from well-known writers such as Dorothy Gray Mills Howard, Larry McMurtry, Warren Norwood, and Deborah Crombie; Texas maps from 1597-1900 depicting the development of the republic and the state; primary sources and documents relating to the republic and early statehood periods; and the records of important Texas businesses such as the Nocona Boot Company, the Fort Worth Stock Yards, Spoetzl Brewery and RadioShack.

Digitized materials from the Texana Collections can be viewed on The Portal to Texas History.