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      Although the South Texas Archives were not officially created until 1981, the systematic accumulation of historical documents was started by Professor John E. Conner when he joined the Department of History shortly after the creation of the South Texas State Teachers College.  In 1925, the year that STSTC opened its doors to students, John E. Conner chairman of the Department of History and Dean of the School, began receiving "family treasures" from area residents who were interested in preserving their past and treasures for future historians.  As a historian with a keen interest in the history of Texas he gladly received these items and stored them where he could, starting a museum.  By the late 1940s the collection had grown to such an extent that Dr. Conner was given additional space.  An area known as "The Forum" -- an open-air, 2000 square feet gathering arena where students had heard many speeches and held their graduations -- was walled in and the space became the first John E. Conner Museum.  There was no heating, no air conditioning, no plumbing, and a leaking roof.  But there was space for the growing collection and there was an interest in preserving the past.

    In 1964, when Dr. Conner retired from Texas College of Arts & Industries (renamed in 1929), Col. Melvin Miller, another history professor, assumed the assignment of museum director on a part time basis.  His primary interest was the Civil War, and memorabilia from that period can be found still in the archival collections.  At his death in 1968 another director was found.  Professor Beth Baker, a historian of Texas history, and a faculty member of the Department of History, was persuaded to become the director when she was given one-quarter release time from her teaching duties.  In that year she spent the first state appropriation of $15,000 for a new roof.  The next year she spent the appropriation on air conditioning that is so vital to the preservation of any collection.

    By 1972, the Museum had grown so that the administration of Texas A&I University (renamed in 1967) finally acknowledged the need for a full time director and turned to Ms. Jimmie Picquet .  Ms. Picquet, who only that year had completed her graduate studies in history at Texas A&I, threw her immense energies into an unparalleled growth for the Conner Museum.   

    The Museum began operating at regular hours.  By 1976 a traveling exhibit trailer was created to tour sixteen counties, taking South Texas history to the people.  La Paloma Mammoth, an archaeological dig just south of Kingsville, was excavated.  More importantly the Conner Museum moved to Loftin Hall, a former campus dining hall that was renovated to accommodate the needs of the Museum.  Mrs. Picquet formed a support group, "The Friends of the Museum," whose mission has been to seek funds for the continued growth and development of the Conner Museum.

    The collection since that time has grown and complete renovations of all exhibits was accomplished by 1986-1987.  Services to the South Texas region have grown so that now it is not unusual to have 3,000 students from 110 schools visit the facilities and hear the lectures from the staff and volunteer docents.

    By 1981 the South Texas Archives, a division of the Conner Museum that was created to preserve the documentary history of the area, was designated a depository for historically valuable county records by the Regional Historical Records Depository Division of the State Library and Archives.  There are over 1,100 linear feet of local government records from the eleven surrounding counties.  In 1992 Cecilia Aros Hunter became the University Archivist.

    In 1995 the Archives was merged into the James C. Jernigan Library at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (renamed in 1993).  Current holdings include over 13,000 rare books on the history of South Texas, at least 15,000 linear feet in the manuscript collection, 1,000 linear feet in the official archival records of this university, and 55 linear feet of microfilm which includes preservation copies of local government records, old newspapers, and area ranch records.  Also, included in this collection are over 200,000 photographs and negatives of historic significance; and 600 oral history tapes.  The Archives is also home to the Carlos F. Truan collection.  This collection contain hundreds of boxes from Carlos Truan's years in the Texas House and Senate.   
 
    The South Texas Archive is actively involved in the collection of personal papers, business and organizational records, and photographs which depict aspects of South Texas history and natural history.