Smith County was established in 1846 and named for a Texas Revolution general

Texas created Smith County in July 1846. It was carved from the Nacogdoches District. The county was named after General James Smith. He fought in the Texas Revolution — the war that won Texas its independence. Tyler has been the county seat from the start.

The county covers 932 square miles of East Texas Piney Woods. It sits about 58 miles from the Louisiana state line. The land rolls between 300 and 600 feet in elevation. Knowing the county's roots helps make sense of its place names, landmarks, and local traditions.