General -

Liberty is among the oldest settled areas of Texas, several hundred Anglo-Americans established farms in 1820's on Mexican land grants. The town was laid out in 1831, It was first named "Villa de la Santissima Trinidad de la Libertad", which (for obvious reasons) was very quickly shortened to Liberty by English-speaking residents.

William B. Travis, Sam Houston, and David Burnet all practiced law in Liberty. Three brothers from town died at the Alamo; some 50 Liberty citizens fought in Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, when Texas won its independence.

Seat of Liberty County, town was a busy port when steamboats plied the Trinity River in the late 19th century. Today a farming-ranching community with substantial oil production dating from 1925.

Geraldine D. Humphreys Cultural Center

Project of local historical and arts groups, the center includes a museum, library, and performing arts theater. Adjacent is Liberty Bell Tower, replica of original Liberty Bell (Philadelphia, PA) famed in U.S. history. Cast from original pattern in same molding pit by Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London, England, that crafted the original bell. But this one isn't cracked; it tolls on special occasions. 1710 Sam Houston St. in downtown Liberty; open Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fri. 1 - 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (409)336- 8901.