George Bush From Texas: Both Presidents, Crawford Ranch and Presidential Libraries

George Bush from Texas is actually two distinct presidents — father and son — whose Texas connections span from West Texas oil fields to Houston to Crawford ranch to Dallas. Consequently, understanding which George Bush’s Texas story you are researching requires knowing that both the 41st and 43rd presidents have deep and meaningful connections to the Lone Star State, with presidential libraries, ranches, and community ties that continue well beyond their time in the White House. This guide covers both presidents and their Texas stories.

George H.W. Bush — Texas Oil and Houston

George Herbert Walker Bush — the 41st President of the United States — moved to West Texas in 1948 after graduating from Yale University to work in the oil business. Furthermore, Bush and his wife Barbara lived in Midland and Odessa, Texas before settling permanently in Houston, where he founded Zapata Petroleum Corporation and built his early business career. Bush represented Houston in the US House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971 before his national career took him to the United Nations, CIA, and ultimately the White House. As a result of his decades in Houston, George H.W. Bush is deeply embedded in Texas’s civic memory.

George H.W. Bush Presidential Library — College Station

The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas — the site chosen by President Bush himself. Furthermore, the library houses documents, photos, and artifacts from the Bush 41 presidency alongside a museum that covers his life from World War II naval service through the post-Cold War world order he helped shape. President Bush was buried at the library complex in December 2018 following his death at age 94. As a result of this Texas connection, Texas A&M’s Aggie community embraced the Bush legacy with particular pride.

George W. Bush — Crawford Ranch and Dallas

George Walker Bush — the 43rd President of the United States — is associated primarily with Crawford, Texas where he owned Prairie Chapel Ranch. Furthermore, Bush purchased the 1,583-acre Crawford property in 1999 before his first presidential campaign, and the ranch served as an extension of the White House during his presidency — hosting foreign leaders, press briefings, and personal retreats. After his presidency, Bush relocated to a home in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas, where he has lived since 2009.

George W. Bush Presidential Library — Dallas

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum opened in April 2013 on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, Texas. Furthermore, the library features exhibits covering major Bush 43 era events including the September 11 attacks, the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2008 financial crisis — allowing visitors to engage with the decision-making context of the era. As a result of the Dallas location, the Bush 43 library is one of Dallas’s most visited cultural institutions.

Texas Bush Legacy

The Bush family’s Texas connections span nearly eight decades and both sides of the state. Furthermore, both presidential libraries in Texas — one at Texas A&M in College Station and one at SMU in Dallas — preserve the records of two consequential presidencies for historians and the public. As a result, Texas is unique in hosting two presidential libraries from the same family, cementing the Bush political dynasty’s place in Lone Star State history alongside its national and global significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more Texas history and politics in our Texas Guide. You can also read our Capital of Texas guide for the Austin state government context. Additionally, our Midland Texas guide covers the West Texas city where George H.W. Bush first settled in 1948.