Smith County, Texas, established on April 11, 1846 and named after General James Smith, was formed from the Nacogdoches District, with Tyler designated as the county seat. Developed heavily by southern farmers, it grew quickly, with an economy based on agriculture, particularly cotton and timber. It was a notable site for Camp Ford, the largest Confederate prison west of the Mississippi. While agriculture (cotton, corn) dominated early, the region later became known for its rose industry. As of 2020, the county's population was 233,479.
