Overton, TX

Overton, Texas
City
The McMillan Memorial Library in Overton, Texas
Motto(s): "A Growing Community nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas"
Location of Overton, Texas
Coordinates: 32°16′25″N 94°58′35″W / 32.27361°N 94.97639°W / 32.27361; -94.97639Coordinates: 32°16′25″N 94°58′35″W / 32.27361°N 94.97639°W / 32.27361; -94.97639
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Rusk, Smith
Area
• Total	6.8 sq mi (17.5 km2)
• Land	6.7 sq mi (17.4 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation	502 ft (153 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,554
• Density	380/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	75684
Area code(s)	903
FIPS code	48-54432
GNIS feature ID	1343370
Website	http://www.ci.overton.tx.us/

Overton is a city in Rusk and 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 Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Smith County portion is part of the Tyler Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The population was 2554 at the 2010 census.

It was known to Choctaws/Chickasaws/Creeks who lived in the area, and still do, as Tiyuk Hekia (Standing Pine); many years later, when it was 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 platted 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 and Overton Branch Railroad, 16 miles long, was completed and was later joined by the International-Great Northern. When the nearby communities of Belleveu, Jamestown, Rocky Mount, and 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 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.

Oklahoman wildcatter C. M. (Dad) Joiner was drilling his third well in 1930, 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 oil.