The Southwest Collection acquires, preserves, and makes accessible archival collections of regional, national, and international significance.
The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University holds archives of national and international significance. It is one of the one of the top academic research repositories in the country. The marquee unit of the institution is the Southwest Collection, which encompasses millions leaves of documents, over a hundred thousand books, millions of photographs, thousands of or
05/26/2026
Pressler’s Map of the State of Texas, 1858. Texas State Archives Map Collection, number 1201.
The Texas America250 exhibit can be seen in person at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library through July 4, 2026.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
05/22/2026
Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing each exhibit panel from the Texas America250 exhibit, on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (Texas State Library and Archives Commission). The exhibit can be seen in person at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library through July 4, 2026.
Texas flag and seal design by Peter Krag, approved January 25, 1839. Texas Secretary of State legislative bills and resolutions filed (General and special laws), 2-7L/3.
05/18/2026
Here's an iconic image of "Mr. Tornado."
The F-Scale, used for measuring the strength of tornadoes, was developed by Dr. Tetsuya Theodore Fujita during his decades as a severe weather research. Dr. Fujita’s materials are housed at the Southwest Collection.
Another great news feature about what can be found at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library!
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
05/14/2026
Happy Commencement Days to all TTU graduates!
Here's a photograph of the Texas Technological College senior class of 1927 taken during the May 30, 1927 commencement ceremony in the College Gymnasium.
Heritage Club Photograph Collection, The University Archives at Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library
05/14/2026
Check out this 2022 video on The Lubbock Tornado Memorial.
Fifty-six years ago, an F5 tornado tour through Lubbock. The devastation which it had on our community and the lives lost will never be forgotten. To teach new generations about the storm and remember those lost, the 1970 Lubbock Tornado Memorial (opened in 2021) is a stunning space to visit and reflect.
To learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpWEYA0MArI
05/13/2026
05/11/2026
56 years and Lubbock still remembers. Visit the link below to research what the Southwest Collection has gathered and preserved on the Lubbock Tornado.
05/09/2026
GLIMPSES OF LUBBOCK COUNTY
On Tuesday, May 12, Dr. Cameron Saffell will present a program on the cemeteries of Lubbock County. Do you know how many cemeteries are in Lubbock County? How many have you visited? Dr. Saffell will talk a little bit about all of them, including the eleven that carry the Historic Texas Cemetery designation from the Texas Historical Commission.
Glimpses of Lubbock County
Tuesday, May 12
7:00 p.m.
Groves Library, 5520 19th Street
05/08/2026
Ran into Carl, Monroe, and members of the Texas Tech Equestrian Team outside of the historic Dairy Barn on campus last week. Built in 1926, the Dairy Barn is one of four original buildings on campus and is situated just southwest of the archive.
Texas Tech Equestrian Team Texas Tech Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources