Oil and Gas

Liberty County has a long oil and gas production history

Oil exploration began in Liberty County around 1901, with major fields at Daisetta and Hull producing hundreds of millions of barrels over the twentieth century.

Liberty County History & Culture

Prospectors first drilled for oil in Liberty County around 1901, following the famous Spindletop discovery nearby. Major finds came at Daisetta and Hull by 1918. By 1990, Liberty County oilfields had cumulatively produced close to 496 million barrels, according to the Handbook of Texas.

Oil and gas activity is regulated in Texas by the Railroad Commission (RRC). The RRC keeps public records of all wells drilled in the county — useful if you are buying land and want to know about past drilling. If you own land here, there may be active or abandoned wells on or near your property. You can search well records at the RRC's website.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Liberty County

More Liberty County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two separate offices handle property taxes in Liberty County

Liberty County splits property tax duties between two offices — the Appraisal District sets values, and the Tax Office collects payments.

Read note ->

Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption can lower your school tax bill in Liberty County

Texas homeowners can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of their primary residence.

Read note ->

Agricultural Valuation

Farm and ranch land can qualify for lower tax values in Liberty County

Land used for farming, ranching, or timber can be taxed on its agricultural productivity instead of its market value, which often means a much lower tax bill.

Read note ->

Flood Risk

The Trinity River regularly floods parts of Liberty County

Liberty County sits on the Trinity River floodplain, and flooding is a real and recurring risk for homes and roads near the river.

Read note ->