Polk County Was Built on Timber, Cotton, and Oil

Texas's first state legislature established Polk County in 1846 and named it after President James K. Polk. The county seat, Livingston, was set near the geographic center of the new county. Early settlers built a cotton and corn economy. By 1860, the county had a population of about 8,300, with a slim majority (about 4,200) being enslaved people working on plantations.

The Houston East and West Texas Railway was completed across Polk County in 1881, opening up the timber industry. By 1981, Polk County led Texas in timber production with 38.4 million cubic feet, mostly pine. Oil was discovered at the Livingston field in 1932. Lake Livingston, completed in 1968 on the Trinity River, later became a major draw for recreation and tourism.