Tyler, Texas, a city with deep historical roots stretching back to 1846, continues to evolve as a vibrant hub blending its rich past with modern economic diversity. Named after President John Tyler, the city quickly established itself as the county seat for Smith County.
Its initial growth was fueled by agriculture, particularly cotton in the fertile Piney Woods region, which brought significant prosperity before the Civil War. However, the war also left a stark mark with the establishment of Camp Ford between 1862 and 1865. Located just north of Tyler, Camp Ford became the largest Confederate prisoner-of-war camp west of the Mississippi River, housing an estimated 5,000 Union prisoners under harsh conditions.
The arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad in 1873 was a transformative event, solidifying Tyler's position as a major commercial center. This era also saw the rise of the city's iconic rose industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning Tyler the title "Rose Capital of the World." Today, this legacy is celebrated at the International Rose Park and Museum (www.TylerRoseGarden.com) and through the annual Texas Rose Festival held each October (www.TexasRoseFestival.com).
Tyler experienced another significant boom with the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field in 1930. This brought an explosion in population, new businesses, and substantial infrastructure development. During World War II, Pounds Field was established as an airfield for pilot training, which later evolved into the present-day Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (www.TylerPounds.com).
Now home to over 100,000 residents, Tyler has successfully diversified its economy beyond its traditional oil and rose industries. Key sectors today include healthcare, education, anchored by institutions like The University of Texas at Tyler (www.UTTyler.edu), and manufacturing. The city also actively preserves its historical character, exemplified by the popular Azalea Trails each March and April, which showcase beautifully maintained Queen Anne and Victorian homes.
