Founded in 1831, Liberty is one of the oldest towns in Texas and one of the first established along the Trinity River waterway. Liberty was part of a land grand given to settlers which contributed to the establishments of communities. Liberty played a crucial role during Texas Revolution and has deep historical roots linked to the early settlement of the state. With its location along the Trinity River, Liberty became a transportation hub for goods and people. The river provided routes for steamboats, allowing for movement of goods and settlers into the region. In addition to the Santa Fe Trail, other trails converged in the Liberty area making it an essential stopping point for traders and settlers alike.
The City of Liberty is conveniently located just 45 minutes from Houston to the East and 40 minutes from Beaumont to the West off highway 90. An original part of the Old Spanish Trail, highway 90 serves as a major east-west route connecting the City of Liberty with various towns, airports and industry. to the North and South Highway 146 provides a vital transportation artery and connects the city with various outdoor activities which draw residents and visitors to enjoy fishing, boating and many other leisure activities.
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City of Liberty Mayors | Liberty TX
Governor Bill Daniels:
For a moment in tine Liberty was home to a sitting Governor. Bill Daniels was appointed as the Governor of Guam in 1949. He served only until 1950, filling the position after the resignation of the previous governor. He is noted for his commitment to education and infrastructure during his brief tenure. A replica of the Texas Governor's Mansion sits proudly on the hill down Governor's Road just to the north of town. Built in 1984, this replica was constructed as part of the Liberty County Bicentennial Celebration and serves as a popular historical site and tourist attraction.
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, a branch of the Texas State Archives, is located on Farm Road 1011 and houses records from ten Southeast Texas counties. It was built on a 100-acre tract donated to the State of Texas by the late Texas Governor Price Daniel, Sr. and was completed in 1977. The site also features the Jean and Price Daniel Home and Archives, built by Governor and Mrs. Daniel in 1984 based on the original design plans for the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin. Three restored buildings are located nearby.
Fair and Rodeo:
Liberty is home to one of the longest running fairs and rodeos in the state of Texas. The fair was first held in 1909 on the courthouse square. In 1936, the Trinity Valley Exposition was established, and the annual fair and rodeo was moved to its current location just on the outskirts of town. It has since grown to be a significant cultural event for the residents of Liberty and surrounding areas carrying on the tradition each year.
LIBERTY'S LIBERTY BELL HISTORY:
Liberty's Liberty Bell, cast in 1960 by WhiteChapel Bell Foundy, LTD., in London, England, is the first true replica of the original Liberty bell as it was cast by WhiteChapel Bell Foundary for the Province of Pennsylvania in 1752, being shaped by the original strickle and using the same moulding pit and methods which were employed in casting the original Liberty Bell. Liberty's Liberty Bell was created to serve as a symbol of the Liberty Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. Liberty's Bell is made of an alloy of 77% pure copper and 23% tin. It is 47 inches in diameter at its mouth and weighs 2,016 pounds. The fittings and wheel are replicas of the original found in Philadelphia.
The Liberty Bell replica was brought to Texas aboard the steamship, Letitia Lykes, through the courtesy of the Lykes Steamship Company and was unveiled at the Manchester Terminal Dock of the Port of Houston in a public ceremony on August 19, 1960, led by Roy H. Cullen and Claud B. Hamill of Houston, co-chairmen of the Liberty Foundation. It was formally dedicated to Sallie and Nadine Woods in a public ceremony held on the courthouse square in Liberty, Texas on September 13, 1960, in recognition of their pioneering efforts in establishing the first organized effort to promote research on the cause and cure of muscular dystrophy. Lloyd Gregory, retired Houston advertising and public relations executive, was master of ceremonies for this occasion and the late Wright Morrow of Houston, former Democratic National Committeeman, delivered the principal address.
The staging of the bell for ringing on that day was under the supervision of Earl C. Downey, board member of Houston. It was rung on that occasion by movie actor John Wayne, who tolled it 16 times. In the years following, the bell has been used as a symbol for the Liberty Muscular Dystrophy Research Foundation, Inc. Acting on the unanimous vote of the board of directors of the Foundation, Ben Rogers of Beaumont, president, formally delivered custody and control of this bell to Sallie and Nadine Woods on July, 1971, with authority to make permanent placement thereof as they deemed best. They agreed for it to be displayed permanently at the Humphreys Cultural Center in Liberty, Texas.
The Bell Tower was demolished in the spring of 2009 because of structural problems and design plans for a new bell tower are being developed.
The Bell is currently housed in the foyer of the Liberty Municipal Library located at 1710 Sam Houston Ave., Liberty, Texas. Source: Liberty Bell & Tower | Liberty TX
