Historical Markers in
Smith County, Texas

Antioch Baptist Church At this site was the camp of the Army of the Republic of Texas Barber Cemetery Bascom Cemetery Bethesda Presbyterian Church and Cemetery Bullard Cemetery Bullard Water Well Butler College Camp Fannin Camp Fannin Internment Camp World War II P.O.W. Camp Camp Ford Camp Ford Camp of the Army of the Republic of Texas Cedar Street United Methodist Church Chilton-Lipstate-Taylor House Christ Episcopal Church City of Tyler Colonel Bryan Marsh Colonel Richard B. Hubbard Colonel Thomas R. Bonner Confederate Arms Factory Damascus Baptist Church Deaf Smith County Deaf Smith Courthouse, 1910 Dewberry Plantation House Duck Creek Soil Erosion Project El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Elisha Everett Lott Erasmus M. Hanna House First Baptist Church of Tyler First Baptist Church of Whitehouse First Baptist Church of Winona First Christian Church of Tyler First County Agricultural Extension Agent First Presbyterian Church, U. S. of Troup First United Methodist Church of Troup Flewellen-Thweatt Cemetery Flint Cemetery Frank Bell House Garden Valley Gary Elementary School Ghost Towns of Deaf Smith County Goodman Home, 1857 Great Cowboy Strike, Site of Harris Creek Cemetery Hawthorne Cemetery Head of Navigation on the Sabine River, Belzora Landing Headache Springs, C. S. A. Medical Laboratory Hebron Baptist Church Henry Gary House Henry Miller Morgan Hereford Christian College Hereford High School Hopewell Baptist Church Hubbard Family Cemetery In the vicinity of Harris' place In this vicinity extended the Vial-Fragoso Trail James Calhoun Hill John B. and Ketura Douglas House John Franklin Overton Judge Stockton Donley La Plata Mackenzie Trail Major James P. Douglas Major John Dean House Marvin Methodist Church Milburn-Gary House Mothers Park Murphey the Jeweler Near Site of C.S.A. Ordnance Plant Neches Saline, C. S. A. New Harmony Baptist Church Nicholas Wren Noonday Cemetery Oakwood Cemetery Omen (Canton) Community P. O. W. Camp Chapel Palo Duro Baptist Church Palo Duro Wildorado Cemetery Pine Springs Baptist Church Pinkston Cemetery Pioneer Windmill Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church Prisoner of War Camp Chapel Ramey House Richard Bennett Hubbard Rudolph Bergfeld Sabine Methodist Church Sartain Homestead Seven League Cemetery Shamburger Cemetery Site of Flora Smith Cemetery Smith County Smith County as a 19th Century Legal Center Smith County Jail, 1881 Smith County Rose Industry and the Tyler Rose Garden Smith County, C. S. A. St. Anthony's Catholic School Starrville Cemetery (HTC) Starrville Community Starrville Community Center Texas College The Connally Home The E. B. Black Residence The George R. Philips House The Kay House The Patterson Home The Thompson House Tomas G. Pollard, Sr. Town of Dawn Town Without a Toothache Troup City Cemetery Two-Wheel Fire Hose Reel Tyler Carnegie Library Tyler Commercial College Tyler Junior College Tyler Tap Railroad Union Chapel Cemetery and Church Union Grove Cemetery Union Grove Cemetery Whisenhunt-Kinzie House Whitaker-McClendon House Willie Lee Campbell Glass Woman's Building Wood-Verner Cemetery Yarbrough Building
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Smith County, Texas, holds a rich history that stretches back to its beginnings. The land that is now Smith County was once inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee nations. The region first caught the attention of European settlers in the early 19th century, when Stephen F. Austin's colonists began to venture into the area. The first permanent settlement, Tyler, was established in 1846.

During the turbulent times of the American Civil War, Smith County experienced significant unrest. Many residents in the county owned slaves, and tensions ran high between Union and Confederate sympathizers. The Battle of Blackjack Grove took place in August 1864, and although it was a minor skirmish, it reflected the deep divisions and struggles faced by the county during the war.

Following the war, Smith County experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further boosted the county's economy and population. During this period, the town of Tyler established itself as a principal commercial center, attracting businesses and settlers from surrounding areas.

In the 20th century, Smith County continued to thrive with the growth of agriculture, oil, and manufacturing industries. Tyler became known as the "Rose Capital of the World" due to its substantial rose-growing industry. The county has also been a center for education, with the establishment of schools and universities.

Today, Smith County remains a vibrant and dynamic part of Texas. Its rich history, from its Native American roots to its role in the Civil War and beyond, provides a fascinating backdrop to its current achievements and endeavors.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Smith County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Smith County is established by the Texas legislature.
  • 1847 - The county seat is designated at Tyler.
  • 1850 - The population of Smith County reaches 1,726.
  • 1861-1865 - The Civil War impacts the county, with many residents serving in the Confederate Army.
  • 1877 - The Texas and Pacific Railway reaches Tyler, boosting the local economy.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression brings economic hardships to Smith County.
  • 1932 - The East Texas Oil Field is discovered, leading to an oil boom in the area.
  • 1950s - The construction of highways and infrastructure brings further growth and development to the county.
  • 1995 - The Smith County Historical Society is formed to preserve the county's history.
  • Present - Smith County continues to thrive as a regional economic and cultural hub in East Texas.