
Local History is Texas History — the 2018 Save Texas History Essay Contest
“What history in your community is worth saving?” That simple but important question is what we’re calling on all 4th and 7th grade Texas history students across the state to answer in this year’s annual Save Texas History Essay Contest.
Everyone is familiar with iconic historical sites in Texas like the Alamo and San Jacinto, but there are countless significant places throughout the state whose meaning and importance are deeply rooted in their local communities. Local history is a source of pride to many Texas communities, but these places don’t always make it into the history books. The Texas General Land Office recognizes this as a great opportunity for students to share their own local history through the Save Texas History Essay Contest.

The essay contest runs every Fall from September 1 through October 31. It is open to all 4th and 7th grade Texas history students (public, private, and homeschool) and promotes the idea that interesting and meaningful history is worth saving just as much as an icon like the Battleship Texas. How many times have we driven through a town and seen a small museum, interesting architecture, or a banner commemorating an annual event, but pass through without stopping to learn more? We often overlook the importance of community heritage to our understanding of Texas history, and that’s where the kids can help, by answering one simple but important question:
“What history in your community is worth saving?”


The subject of the essay could be anything — a building, a business, a landmark, a cultural event, a public space — anything that enhances and enriches community identity. Last year’s student essays reflected the rich diversity of community history in Texas. The fourth-grade grand prize winner, Allison Wade from Canyon, told the story of Tex Randall, an iconic 47-foot-tall statue of a cowboy in her hometown. The seventh-grade grand prize winner, Jalynn Bristow from Wichita Falls, wrote about the Kell House Museum, observing that “if we want to learn about our community, we need to save the places that teach us about it.”

Other notable entries highlighted a small chapel in Raymondville built by the student’s grandfather, the International Bacon Festival in Houston, and Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. Regardless of the subject matter, hundreds of students wrote passionately about their unique local history. That’s what we’re looking for in this year’s entries — for students across the state to flex their research and writing skills and share their community with the world.

Now to the boring part — the rules. Although proper grammar and punctuation are essential (if it’s unreadable, we can’t print it!), the story is the most important part, so 70% of the grading criteria is based on interest and creativity. A separate winner for both 4th and 7th grade will be chosen, and the winning essays will be available online and in print. For 4th grade entries, the essays can be typed or hand-written. For 7th grade entries, the essays must be typed. All entries should include a bibliography so that sources can be verified.
Enough rules, here’s what the kids want to hear about — the prizes! The winning entries will each receive a cash award of $500 courtesy of Chris Cantu of Edward Jones Investments and Bob Erksine of Just in Time Staffing, both from Round Rock. Grand Prize winners will also receive Texas flags that have flown over the Texas State Capitol. Five additional finalists in each grade will receive $100 courtesy of the Rotary Club of Austin and the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and a Texas flag that has flown over the northernmost point of the Republic of Texas (in present-day Wyoming). All winners and finalists will also receive Save Texas History backpacks and a replica of an historic map from the GLO Archives map collection, and a Certificate of Achievement signed by Commissioner Bush.

Please help us spread the word to all 4th- and 7th-grade students across Texas — we can’t wait to read their stories about their local communities’ history and how it helps to shape these young Texans’ lives.
Entries must be postmarked by October 31, 2018. The entry form can be found online by clicking here.


