Located in Bastrop County, Texas, Smithville is a city situated near the Colorado River.
In 1827, Thomas Jefferson Gazley made his mark on Smithville by constructing the first residence and opening the first commercial establishment, catering to the needs of incoming settlers. His contributions to the area did not stop there, as he went on to play a significant role in the Mexican government and was instrumental in the creation of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the state’s first constitution. Through his efforts, Gazley became a celebrated figure in Texas history.
Smithville can be found in the southeastern part of Bastrop County, situated 12 miles (19 km) from Bastrop and 42 miles (68 km) from Austin.
Major Roads:
* State Highway 71
* Loop 230
* Farm to Market Road 2571
* Farm to Market Road 153
* Farm to Market Road 2104
* State Highway 95
In the city, the population was recorded as 3,922 individuals, with 1,711 households and 1,088 families, according to the 2020 United States census.
The educational needs of Smithville are met by the Smithville Independent School District, which also proudly supports the Smithville High School Tigers athletic team.
Attractions
At 100 Main Street in Smithville, you can find the Smithville Visitor Center, James H. Long Railroad Museum & Chamber of Commerce. This location displays artifacts and historical items related to Smithville’s railroad past.
Renowned individuals
Educator Bettye Caldwell
Actor and Emmy Award-winning director Thomas Carter
Jazz trumpeter and composer Hannibal Lokumbe, also known as “Hannibal”
Major league baseball pitcher Balor Moore, born in Smithville
Blues singer and lap steel guitar player Sonny Rhodes
Hip hop artist DJ Screw (Robert Earl Davis, Jr.), born in Smithville and later moved to Houston
The city boasts a total area of 3.5 square miles, as reported by the United States Census Bureau. This total area consists of 3.5 square miles of land and a mere 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of water, which equates to a minuscule 0.85% of the city’s total area.
On December 2, 2006, Smithville made a name for itself in the culinary world by setting the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread man at the 16th Annual Festival of Lights. Measuring over 20 feet in length and weighing a whopping 1,308.5 pounds, this sugary behemoth was crafted using 750 pounds of flour, 49 gallons of molasses, and 72 dozen eggs. The massive pan used to bake the gingerbread man has been preserved as a monument at the James H. Long Railroad Park in Smithville, serving as a testament to the town’s sweet achievement. Although the record has since been broken by a Norwegian IKEA display, Smithville’s gingerbread man remains a beloved and tasty piece of local history.