Relics of the Lone Star State
Tristan G. Smith’s new book offers a roadmap to the rich heritage of Texas.
Sitting amongst the farms, cosmopolitan cities, and natural beauty that dot the diverse Texas landscape are long-standing National Historic Landmarks designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Often accompanied by roadside markers, these relics of past wars, former governments, and long-past societies stand today to remind Texans and visitors alike of the monumental events that helped shape the state into what it is today. Texan and history buff Tristan G. Smith knows many of these places well, so much so that he honors 50 of the state’s designated landmarks in his book Treasures of Texas: National Historic Landmarks of the Lone Star State (Schiffer Publishing, 2025). “Everyone has a story . . . so, too, does every place,” writes Smith in the text.
In this unique compilation that is both a history book and a travel guide, Smith’s text is organized by themed sections: Forts & Military, Battlefields & War, Government, Entertainment, Industry & Innovation, Texas Heritage, Residential Life, and Archeological Sites. Within these themes are national landmarks organized by chapters featuring images, historical overviews, and directions. “Most of these sites chart a journey from Spanish Texas to the present,” explains Smith. “The American story doesn’t begin in 1776 in New England; it doesn’t necessarily start with pilgrims or Christopher Columbus. Search throughout Texas, and you’ll see a wide panoramic view of Texan and American history—and a great example of what it means to live in this melting pot we call the United States.”
To purchase and read Treasures of Texas: National Historic Landmarks of the Lone Star State, visit the Schiffer Books website.
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