"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

Preserving Texas History: How Land Surveys Protect Heritage Properties

Texas Is Built on History—And That History Deserves Protection

From historic ranches and century-old homes to mission-style buildings and revitalized downtowns, Texas has a rich architectural and cultural legacy. But preserving that history—while ensuring it’s properly maintained or legally redeveloped—requires more than passion. It requires precision.

That’s where a professional land survey comes in.

At South Texas Surveying, we work with property owners, developers, municipalities, and preservationists to deliver surveys that ensure historic properties remain protected, legally compliant, and well-documented for generations to come.

Why Surveys Are Critical for Historic Property Preservation

Many older properties were built long before modern zoning, infrastructure, or recorded plats. That leads to issues like:

• 🧱 Encroachments from neighboring parcels or poorly recorded boundaries

• 🧾 Missing or inaccurate legal descriptions on deeds or titles

• 🌳 Unmarked easements or rights-of-way through the property

• 🛤️ Structures built on or across property lines decades ago

• 🗺️ Historic parcels needing replatting for compliance or resale

📎 A land survey clarifies the physical and legal status of the property—before someone makes a costly mistake.

Surveys That Help Protect Historic Texas Sites

Survey TypePreservation Use CaseBoundary SurveyConfirms property lines and identifies encroachmentsALTA/NSPS SurveyRequired when selling, refinancing, or redeveloping historic sitesTopographic SurveyUsed in restoration planning, grading, drainage, and landscape protectionImprovement SurveyMaps out original structures, paths, fences, and infrastructure for preservationConstruction StakingEnsures any upgrades, additions, or protective fencing stay legally placed

When You Need a Survey on Historic Properties

• 🏚️ Before selling or transferring ownership of a registered or designated historic site

• 🏛️ When applying for historical tax credits or preservation grants

• 🛠️ During renovation or adaptive reuse of older buildings (especially downtown or overlay zones)

• 📜 When re-recording titles, deeds, or estate inheritance involving old land records

• 🧭 When subdividing or combining parcels with historical structures on them

Real-World Examples Around Greater Houston

📍 Galveston Island

• Elevation and improvement surveys are often needed to restore flood-damaged historical homes.

📍 Downtown Conroe

• ALTA surveys support property sales and zoning compliance in historic overlay districts.

📍 Independence Trail Region & Liberty County

• Surveys help document rural cemeteries, homesteads, and unrecorded right-of-ways that date back generations.

📍 The Heights & Eastwood (Houston)

• Lot line disputes and garage/apartment conversions on 100+ year-old lots require survey clarification.

Why Preservation Without a Survey Can Be Risky

• ❌ Modern additions may violate setback or zoning regulations

• ❌ Insurance and financing can be denied for unclear property boundaries

• ❌ Restoration plans could be blocked without legal site documentation

• ❌ Unclear access or utility easements may limit use or redevelopment

• ❌ Historic structures can be unintentionally altered or removed without mapped records

📎 A survey makes sure you protect what matters—and build around it the right way.

Why Heritage Advocates and Real Estate Pros Trust South Texas Surveying

✔️ Experience working on both rural and urban historic properties
✔️ ALTA, boundary, and topographic surveys tailored to preservation needs
✔️ Fast turnaround and detailed records accepted by title companies, city planners, and the Texas Historical Commission
✔️ Service across Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Liberty, Galveston, Brazoria, and Waller counties

📞 Preserving a piece of Texas history? Let South Texas Surveying help you protect it with accuracy and care.

When the Past Meets the Future, Surveys Provide the Foundation

Historic properties are priceless—but they still sit on land with legal boundaries, permits, and evolving development codes. A land survey ensures they’re not just admired, but protected.

📍 Work with South Texas Surveying to preserve the land beneath your legacy.