Page Contents for Smithville, Texas

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Schools.

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Statistics & Facts

The Texas state capital is Austin.
The population of Smithville is approximately 3,550 (1995), 3817 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,554 (1990), 1481 (2010).
The amount of land area in Smithville is 6.729 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.009 sq kilometers.
The distance from Smithville to Washington DC is 1325 miles.
The distance to the Texas state capital is 41 miles. (as the crow flies)
Smithville is positioned 30.00 degrees north of the equator and 97.15 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Smithville elevation is 324 feet above sea level.
Smithville average annual precipitation is 37.1 inches peryear.
Smithville average temperature is 68 degrees F.
The average low temperature is 40 degrees F.
The average high temperature is 96 degrees F.

Location

about 40 miles east of Austin on State Highway 71
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History & History Related Items

Native Americans inhabited the Central Texas area for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans. Artifacts found in Bastrop County suggest the area was occupied at least 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Spanish explorers began probing the area in the 1690's, but the first permanent settlement of the Smithville area was by one Dr. Thomas Gazely in 1827. He was looking for silver, and staked his claim on what is now Gazely Creek, which flows through Smithville on its way to the Colorado River. Frank Smith came about the same time, and the town was ultimately named in his honor (after a coin toss, according to legend).
Smithville grew slowly until the 1880's, when the Taylor, Bastrop and Houston Railroad arrived. Smithville subsequently became an important regional rail center for the issouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) rail line. After the MKT pulled out in 1957, Smithville slowed down a bit. But that may have helped to preserve much of its charm. Be sure to enjoy the many Victorian homes and turn-of-the-century brick business buildings downtown. (Thanks to the University of Texas for this history information)

For an in-depth history of Smithville, see this history page
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The incorporation of Smithville

1895

Attractions

The 1998 hit movie, Hope Floats, which stars Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr., did some of its filming right here in Smithville.

Buescher State Park
P O Box 75
Smithville TX 78957-0075
Phone: 512/237-2241

"Noted Notables"
Birthplace of Blues Musician - Sonny Rhodes
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Smithville City Government

City of Smithville
P.O. Box 449
Smithville, Texas 78957
Phone: (512) 594-3283
FAX: (512) 237-4549

Smithville Chamber

Smithville Chamber Of Commerce
P.O. Box 716
Smithville, Texas 78957
Phone: 512-237-2313

Smithville Community Events

Excalibur Fantasy Faire 2000
Check the website for faire dates
Excalibur Fantasy Faire is located at Rocky Hill Ranch near Smithville, TX, on Hwy 153 East, approximately 2 miles northeast of Hwy 71

Smithville Organizations

Smithville Chamber Of Commerce
P.O. Box 716
Smithville, Texas 78957
Phone: 512-237-2313

Smithville Schools

Smithville ISD
901 N.E. 6th Street
P.O. Box 479
Smithville, Texas 78957
Phone: 512-237-2487
Fax: 512-237-2775