The collection is a result of integrating 10 smaller artificial collections into one larger artificial collection to improve organization and facilitate greater access. It chronicles the history of Texas, from the Spanish Colonial Era through the turn of the 20th century. The material has been arranged chronologically into eight series based on eras of Texas History: Spanish Colonial, Mexican Colonial, 1836, Republic, Mexican War, Early Statehood, Civil War, Reconstruction and Westward Expansion, and Modern. The bulk of the collection is from the Colonial, Republic, and Early Statehood eras.

Within these series, material is arranged by function, such as business documents, legal documents, and land documents. Material within these broad functions is arranged alphabetically where possible; in other cases, researchers may request a fully alphabetized version of the inventory by emailing the Special Collections curator at velee@uh.edu.

In addition to materials broadly documenting the history of Texas, the activities of several prominent Texans and Americans are documented in this collection. The papers pertaining to the establishment of Austin’s Colony includes land and legal documents signed by Stephen F. Austin. Sam Houston’s role as President of Texas is extensively documented through correspondence and legal, financial, and land papers. The roles of Anson Jones and Mirabeau Lamar as President of Texas are documented in legal and land papers. James Morgan’s role as Colonel in the Texas Army is documented through correspondence, legal, and military papers. Finally, Andrew Jackson’s role as President of the United States of America is documented in a letter detailing his decision to not send troops to Texas during the state’s revolution.