History of Tyler

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Early settlers were lured to this East Texas area because of its many lakes and forests. Situated on the western edge of the Southern Pine Belt, the area has a fertile soil mix that is ideally suited to agriculture.

The region's major city is Tyler, incorporated in 1846 and designated the county seat of Smith County. The city, named for President John Tyler, has grown steadily from its rural beginnings to a thriving community with about 83,000 residents.

Agriculture was the major economic force here until the early 1930s, when the first oil well was brought in by a 77-year-old wildcatter named Columbus Marion "Dad" Joiner.

The oil fields produced large quantities of oil for use in World War II and provided jobs for thousands of East Texans. The giant East Texas Oil Field, east of Tyler, and numerous other oil and gas fields located in Smith County, are still pumping and producing oil today. Tyler has become the business center for the oil industry in East Texas.

Smith County also is known as a leading agriculture center, especially for live stock and related products. Cattle, hay, roses, catfish, peaches, blueberries and Christmas trees are important to the diversified economy here.

Tourism also is a strong industry in the region. In 1996 Tyler celebrated the 36th Annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail. The highlight of this spring event is the seven-mile-long driving trail that passes residential lawns and garden ablaze with azaleas, dogwoods, tulips and other spring flowers. The Tyler Heritage Tour, which showcases historic homes, is held in conjunction with the Trail.

Tyler calls itself "The Rose Capital of America," in honor of its annual Texas Rose Festival. The festivities include the Texas Rose Parade, with elaborate costumes and floats, rose shows, an arts and crafts fair, art shows and entertainment.

Tyler is home to the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College (home of the "Apache Belles," a well known dance drill team), Texas College and numerous business schools. Ambassador College is in Big Sandy, and Lon Morris College is in Jacksonville.

The East Texas Council Of Government (ETCOG) has qualified Tyler as the first Certified Retirement City in Texas. Tyler meets high standards for retiree living, such as low crime rate, affordable housing, quality health care, abundant recreation, educational opportunities. Tyler is 16th in the nation for cost of living in Retirement Places Rated: Special Millennium Edition.

Academy Repertory Theater and the Brickstreet Playhouse, nonprofit groups, bring theater to Tyler and nearby cities. The East Texas Concert Association sponsors top national and international talent throughout the year. The East Texas Symphony Orchestra performs regularly, and numerous other cultural activities are hosted at Tyler Junior College and University of Texas at Tyler facilities.

Tyler has been selected as the site of the 2005 HGTV Dream Home because of exciting activities, natural beauty, amazing attractions and a convenient proximity to Dallas, Houston, Austin and other metropolitan areas. It's the cosmopolitan capital of East Texas and now it is home to one of the most exciting communities in Texas - The Reserve at Lake Tyler. Plans are under way for the new Lake Columbia to be built just south of Troup.

Additionally, when the winner wants to venture outside their resort community, Tyler offers a great deal: fine dining at local favorite restaurants, entertainment such as the theater, opera, symphony, fine art, the Caldwell Zoo, historical tours, the Kiepersol Winery, the Tyler Rose Garden, the Azalea Flower Trail, the East Texas State Fair, the Festival on the Square, the Texas Blues Festival and, as mentioned above, the Texas Rose Festival.

Tyler is the economic leader of East Texas. With a growing and increasingly diverse population, rising property values and a cost of living below the national average, it's an attractive location for many reasons: 31 lakes, 25 golf courses, countless antique shops, the Texas Fresh Water Fisheries Center, the East Texas Balloon Festival and the world-famous Canton Trade Days.

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