The acronym GTT, which stands for “Gone To Texas” — has a long and colorful history. In the 1820 and early 1830s, when Texas was a sparsely inhabited territory of Mexico, Americans in the South saw it as a place of opportunity, a place to start over. Many of them were in debt and running from creditors after the Panic of 1819, while others were escaping a variety or problems — legal and personal. Many others were not outlaws but came for the free land offered by the Mexican government. When Southerners began leaving their homes, many would simply scrawl “GTT” with chalk on their cabin doors or fence posts. In time, GTT became shorthand for “at odds with the law.” Today, nearly two centuries later, “Gone To Texas” is a phrase used with pride by those who are accepted to the University of Texas. Instead of debtors from Tennessee or outlaws from Kentucky, it’s now used by new Longhorns across the state, excited for what lies ahead.
What’s the Story Behind GTT?
The acronym GTT, which stands for “Gone To Texas” — has a long and colorful history. In the 1820 and early 1830s, when Texas was a sparsely inhabited territory of Mexico, Americans in the South saw it as a place of opportunity, a place to start over. Many of them were in debt and running from creditors after the Panic of 1819, while others were escaping a variety or problems — legal and personal. Many others were not outlaws but came for the free land offered by the Mexican government. When Southerners began leaving their homes, many would simply scrawl “GTT” with chalk on their cabin doors or fence posts. In time, GTT became shorthand for “at odds with the law.” Today, nearly two centuries later, “Gone To Texas” is a phrase used with pride by those who are accepted to the University of Texas. Instead of debtors from Tennessee or outlaws from Kentucky, it’s now used by new Longhorns across the state, excited for what lies ahead.