Editing Overton, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Overton, Texas
| settlement_type          = City
| motto                    = "A Growing Community nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas"<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.ci.overton.tx.us/|title= City of Overton Texas |publisher= City of Overton Texas |access-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref>
| image_skyline            = McMillan Memorial Library, Overton, TX IMG_4413.JPG
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = The McMillan Memorial Library in Overton, Texas
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = TXMap-doton-Overton.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Overton, Texas
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Rusk County, Texas|Rusk]], [[Smith County, Texas|Smith]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 17.48
| area_land_km2            = 17.35
| area_water_km2           = 0.13
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.75
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.70
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 2275
| population_density_km2   = 144.24
| population_density_sq_mi = 373.58
<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 492
| coordinates              = {{coord|32|16|33|N|94|58|21|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 75684
| area_code                = [[Area codes 903 and 430|903, 430]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-54432<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2411343<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411343}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://cityofoverton.com}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
[[File:Overton, TX, City Hall IMG_4397.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Overton City Hall]]
[[File:Part of downtown Overton, TX IMG_4399.JPG|200px|right|thumb|A portion of downtown Overton]]
[[File:Abandoned Overton Theater, Overton, TX IMG_4401.JPG|200px|right|thumb|The abandoned Overton Theater]]
[[File:First Baptist Church, Overton, TX IMG_4403.JPG|200px|right|thumb|The First Baptist Church of Overton]]

'''Overton''' is a city in [[Rusk County, Texas|Rusk]] and [[Smith County, Texas|Smith]] counties in the U.S. state of [[Texas]]. Overton lies in two counties as well as two metropolitan areas. The Rusk County portion of the city is part of the [[Longview, Texas|Longview]] [[Longview, Texas metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]], while the Smith County portion is part of the [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]] [[Tyler metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

The population was 2,275 at the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]].

==History==

It was known to the [[Choctaw]]s, [[Chickasaw]]s, and [[Muscogee|Creeks]] who lived in the area as Tiyuk Hekia (Standing [[Pine]]); many years later, when it was [[Incorporated town|incorporated]], it became known as Overton.

The town was named after Major Frank Overton, an early [[settler]] and landowner who donated some of his land for the town site. It was [[plat]]ted in 1873 and a post office was granted that year.

Overton was originally intended to be a crossroads for two railroads. In 1875, the [[Henderson, Texas|Henderson]] and Overton Branch Railroad, {{convert|16|miles}} long, was completed and was later joined by the [[International-Great Northern]]. When the nearby communities of Bellview, [[Jamestown, Texas|Jamestown]], Rocky Mount, and [[Salem, Cherokee County, Texas|Salem]] were all bypassed by the railroad, Overton gained the businesses and people who wanted to benefit from the railroad lines. The town offered lots for businesses to relocate, and many took the offer.

The [[Freemasonry|Masons]] and [[Odd Fellows]] built the first school, and a church was constructed in 1875. By 1888 the population had increased to 500 and had all essential businesses, including a newspaper. Overton prospered as an agricultural community, and in 1904 the population had reached 568.

[[Oklahoma]]n [[wildcatter]] [[Columbus Marion Joiner|C. M. "Dad" Joiner]] was drilling his third well in 1930,<ref name=oo>{{cite book |last1=Olien |first1=Diana |last2=Olien |first2=Roger |title=Oil in Texas, The Gusher Age, 1895-1945 |date=2002 |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |isbn=0292760566 |pages=170–171}}</ref>  and the town of Overton helped raise the funds he needed to drill. When the well came in, Overton shared in Joiner's success, as churches, schools, and a [[refinery]] were built. Hubbard College was founded during this time as well. The town's once agrarian-based economy suddenly revolved entirely around the production of [[Gasoline|oil]].

Overton's population skyrocketed from 426 in 1931 to 3,000 in 1933. By 1936 it was up to 4,500 and the town went through the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]] relatively unscathed. But by the end of [[World War II]] the population had declined by half—reaching just 2,000 in the 1950s and remaining at that level through the 1970s. In the 1980s Overton was Rusk County's "second city" with a population of 2,430 in 1983. By the 1990s Overton extended into neighboring Smith County.

The City of Overton has had a storied history with radical groups{{who?|date=August 2024}} claiming the site as their base of operations. The Republic of Texas operated within the city limits from the early 2000s, up until the building was mysteriously burned down. Overton has a historical voting base consisting primarily of older, Republican-leaning voters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.co.rusk.tx.us/page/rusk.Elections|title = Rusk County, Texas}}{{404|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 6.8&nbsp;square miles (17.5&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}), of which 6.7&nbsp;square miles (17.4&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is land and 0.04&nbsp;square mile (0.1&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) (0.59%) is water. Most of the city lies in Rusk County, with a small portion extending into Smith County.

===Major highways===
* [[File:Texas 135.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 135 (Texas)|State Highway 135]]
* [[File:Texas 323.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 323 (Texas)|State Highway 323]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 353
|1890= 401
|1920= 528
|1930= 426
|1940= 2313
|1950= 2001
|1960= 1950
|1970= 2084
|1980= 2430
|1990= 2105
|2000= 2350
|2010= 2554
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|2020=2275}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Overton racial composition as of 2020'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4854432&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (NH = Non-Hispanic){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|1,653
|72.66%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|349
|15.34%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|17
|0.75%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|13
|0.57%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|7
|0.31%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|97
|4.26%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|139
|6.11%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''2,275'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,275 people, 826 households, and 580 families residing in the city.

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 2,554 people, 935 [[household]]s, and 639 [[Family|families]] residing in the city. The population density was 375.6 people per square mile. There were 1,086 [[housing unit]]s at an average density of 159.7 per square mile. The [[Race (human categorization)|racial]] makeup of the city was 80% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 16.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.4% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.1% from two or more races. 4% of the population are [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 935 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 20 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The [[Population pyramid|median age]] was 35.2 years.

The [[median income]] for a household in the city was $32,292, and the median income for a family was $55,261. The per capita income for the city was $18,987. [[Male]]s had a median income of $28,496 versus $17,237 for females.

==Government==

===State government===
Overton is represented in the [[Texas Senate]] by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Kevin Eltife]], District 1. The [[Rusk County, Texas|Rusk County]] portion of Overton is represented in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] by Republican [[Travis Clardy]], District 11. The [[Smith County, Texas|Smith County]] portion of Overton is represented in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] by Republican [[Bryan Hughes (Texas politician)|Bryan Hughes]], District 5.

===Federal government===
At the federal level, the two [[List of current members of the United States Senate|U.S. Senators]] from Texas are Republicans [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]]; Overton is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican [[Nathaniel Moran]].

==Economy==
{{unsourced|section|date=September 2024}}
=== Organization ===

The Overton Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a community team made up of resident executives and business owners, responsible for attracting new investment and helping expand existing businesses within the city. With a seven-member board, the Overton EDC is funded by a $.0025 sales tax that allows the EDC to accomplish its goals.

=== Business assistance ===

Overton EDC provides business assistance to qualifying companies. They evaluate incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the Overton area and base their findings on taxes assessed and paid, the number of jobs created or retained, wages paid, local purchases of products and services, indirect employment gains and the general benefit of furthering the mission of the city of Overton Economic Development Corporation.

They primarily seek businesses in manufacturing, production, medical/health, hospitality and distribution. Funds may be used in land lease/purchase, building lease/purchase, rehabilitation or construction, capital equipment purchase, infrastructure improvements or employee training.

Funds may not be used for venture or equity capital, working capital/inventories or personal loans. Forms of business assistance include loans/loan guarantees, SBA 504, SBA 7(A) guaranteed and direct loan, and the rural economic development fund.

==Education==
Most of the City of Overton is served by the [[Overton Independent School District]]; that district's portion is in Rusk County.<ref name=RuskCoSDMap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48401_rusk/DC20SD_C48401.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rusk County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-04-14}}<br>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st48_tx/c48401_rusk/DC10SD_C48401_001.pdf|title=SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 Census): Rusk County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2021-02-25}}</ref> The [[Arp Independent School District]] includes all of Overton in Smith County,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48423_smith/DC20SD_C48423.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Smith County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2021-02-25}}</ref> and [[West Rusk ISD]] includes a small portion of Overton in Rusk County.<ref name=RuskCoSDMap/>

Areas in Overton ISD and West Rusk ISD are in the service area of [[Kilgore Junior College]]. Areas in Arp ISD are in the service area of [[Tyler Junior College]].<ref>[https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.194. Sec. 130.184.  KILGORE JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.206.  TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]</ref>

==Media==

===Newspaper===
*''Overton Press'' (''Closed in June 2011'')
*''[[Henderson Daily News|Overton News]]''
*''[[Henderson Daily News]]''

==Notable people==

* [[Jerry L. Buchmeyer]], [[United States district court|United States District Judge]] for the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas|Northern District of Texas]] 
* [[Robert Lee Howze]], [[Major General]] who received the [[Medal of Honor]] during the [[Indian Wars]]
* [[Bo Kelly|Michael "Bo" Kelly]], is a former [[American football]] fullback in the [[Arena Football League]].
* [[Clyde Lee (American football)|Clyde Lee]], served as [[head coach]]at Overton High School 
* [[Earle Bradford Mayfield]], was a lawyer and politician who served in both the [[Texas Senate|Texas State Senate]] and [[United States Senate]]

==Climate==
The climate in this area is characterized by [[Heat|hot]], [[Humidity|humid]] [[summer]]s and generally mild to cool [[winter]]s.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Overton has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=227614&cityname=Overton%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Overton, Texas]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Overton, Texas}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
*[http://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/Overton-Texas.htm Texas Escapes Online Magazine]
*[http://www.usacitiesonline.com/txcountyoverton.htm USA Cities Online]
*[http://www.ci.overton.tx.us/ City of Overton Texas]
*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Overton-Texas.html City-Data.com]
*[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hjo07 Overton in the Handbook of Texas]

{{Rusk County, Texas}}
{{Smith County, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Rusk County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Smith County, Texas]]
[[Category:Longview metropolitan area, Texas]]