History of Smithville - Smithville, TX - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

Plaque 1:
In 1827, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Gazley arrived and set the pace of development. Near this site, he built the first house and established the first store, which served incoming settlers and the friendly Lipan and Tonkawa Indians. He worked as a Clerk and Secretary in the Mexican government and was granted a Mexican license to practice medicine. Gazley helped write the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Texas Constitution. During the Texas War for Independence, he fought as a citizen soldier-surgeon in the battles of Gonzales, Concepcion Mission, and San Jacinto. After the war, he moved to Harrisburg, practiced Probate Law, and was elected to the Second Legislature of the Republic of Texas. Upon returning to Smithville in 1846, he established a riverboat landing to service the Kate Ward, which traveled from Matagorda to Austin. Following his death in 1853, he was first buried here in the Gazley Cemetery, and in 1937 he was reinterred in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

Plaque 2:
William Smith's family arrived several years after Dr. Gazley. They owned a store and influenced the area early on, including the informal naming of Smithville. Later, that name was defended by a legendary coin toss with the Burlesons. About seventeen families lived on the south bank of the Colorado River, while successful entrepreneur John Fawcett and admired statesman Thomas Hardeman lived west of town. Local businessman Murray Burleson learned of the approach of the Taylor, Bastrop, and Houston railroad, and worked with partners to purchase land tracts in the Gazley and Loomis Surveys. A new town site located adjacent to the railroad tracks was thereby platted. By negotiation and a gift of land, Burleson persuaded the railroad to construct a "terminus" (now called a "depot") at the new town site, and the TB&H steamed through in 1887. Almost overnight, the town flourished with new railroad workers, followed by commerce and service industries that supported the town's incoming residents.

Plaque 3:
The Missouri, Kansas and Texas took over the TB&H Railroad in 1891. In 1894, the MK&T established central shops in Smithville, giving rise to growth that resulted in Smithville becoming the largest city in Bastrop County for nearly fifty years. Soon the burgeoning population created markets for homes, stores, and other necessities. Numerous businessmen made valuable contributions to Smithville as it grew from a frontier village to a town. The Hill family moved retail marketing here and established the first bank. The need for infrastructure like electrical and water systems attracted the Buescher brothers to establish the first utilities. Partnerships of prominent, able families involved in land-based activities united the Bueschers, Powells, Cooks, Eaglestons, Turneys, Rabbs, Buntes and others to establish cotton gins, general stores, drugstores, lumber and brick yards and to develop churches and fraternal organizations such as the Masons and the Oddfellows.

Plaque 4:
Smithville’s new inhabitants required more than their working and drinking establishments to provide an abundant and enjoyable life. In 1889, the neighboring Presbyterian Church (est.1875) moved into town. Also established were: the Methodists (1888), the Baptist (1895) and the Catholics and Disciples of Christ (1896). This thriving community was officially incorporated as the City of Smithville in 1895. City leaders recognized the importance of education by creating the Smithville School District at the same time. Plays, concerts, art and films have had a large tradition here. The first small, private airport was built by 1947. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center/Science Park Research Center moved to the forest near Smithville in 1977. Smithville has been fortunate throughout its history to attract forward thinking stalwart, and industrious men and women who continue to pave the way to the fine city and enviable quality of life we are privileged

Group that erected the marker: City of Smithville Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 506 N W Loop 230 Smithville, TX USA 78957 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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