The general education act of January 26, 1839, which gave The University
of Texas 50 leagues of land, also made provision for local schools
throughout Texas. This act granted each county in the then-Republic
three leagues for school purposes. An Act of March 13, 1875, increased
each county’s grant to four leagues. All but 18 of the state’s present
254 counties received this land, and most of them sold it, receiving
small sums. Some counties retained their land, and many have had oil
discovered on their property. Each county set up its own permanent
school fund into which goes money from sale of county lands or money
from mineral leases. Most counties that did not sell their land today
have permanent funds of several hundred thousand dollars.
These county lands are under the control of each county commissioners
court, and are not supervised by the General Land Office.