Constructed in 1976-1977 by the Texas Library and Historical Commission, the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center serves the ten southeast Texas counties carved from the original Atascosito Liberty District of the Republic of Mexico: Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler. Created through the Texas Regional Depository Program to provide fireproof preservation and protected access to official and private records and papers of historical interest, it operates in cooperation with Lamar University and has been expanded to include teaching and research facilities and library collections on Texas history, general history, government, and religion. Its establishment was sponsored by the Atascosito Historical Society, organized in 1973, and construction was funded entirely by foundations and individuals. The 110 acre site, donated to the state by former Governor and Mrs. Price Daniel, lies on land granted by the Mexican government to B.W. Hardin in 1831, beside the Hardin Cemetery and along the original road from Atascosito to Nacogdoches. One-half mile south stood the 1756 Spanish outpost of Atascosito, the Atascosito Springs, and the crossing of the Atascosito Road, an area used successively as an Indian camp, Spanish fort, Mexican fort, the first Anglo village in the region, and the forerunner of the present city of Liberty, whose town and district name was changed from Atascosito to Liberty in 1831. The center honors all citizens and organizations of the region who contributed to its history, culture, and spiritual and material development.