Overton, Texas

Overton, Texas
—  City  —
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 (2000)
– Total	2,350
– Density	350.2/sq mi (135.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
– Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	75684
Area code(s)	903
FIPS code	48-54432[1]
GNIS feature ID	1343370[2]

Overton is a city in Rusk and Smith Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census.

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.

Geography

Overton is located at 32°16′25″N 94°58′35″W / 32.27361°N 94.97639°W / 32.27361; -94.97639 (32.273608, -94.976306)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²), of which, 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.59%) is water. Most of the city lies in Rusk County, with only a small part extending into Smith County.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,350 people, 906 households, and 629 families residing in the city. The population density was 350.2 people per square mile (135.2/km²). There were 1,013 housing units at an average density of 150.9 per square mile (58.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.1% White, 17.0% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.1% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 906 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,098, and the median income for a family was $34,662. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $17,255 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,256. About 14.1% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economic Development

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

The Rusk County portion of Overton is served by the Overton Independent School District. The Arp Independent School District is available to serve the few Overton residents in Smith County, though Overton residents may apply for a transfer into Overton ISD free of charge.

History

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 towns 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. 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.

Overton's population exploded 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 relatively unscathed. But by the end of World War II the population had declined by half - reaching just 2,000 in the fifties and remaining at that level through the 70s. 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.

From 2003-2005 Overton was the seat of government of the Republic of Texas, a separatist group who are an independence movement that claims that the annexation of Texas by the United States was illegal and that Texas remains an independent nation under occupation. The Republic of Texas headquarters burned down in August 2005.

Notable residents

• Jerry L. Buchmeyer is a retired senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas, Texas.

• Robert Lee Howze graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1888 and was a Major General who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.

• Michael "Bo" Kelly was a former American football fullback in the Arena Football League. Kelly starred for the Arizona Rattlers and Carolina Cobras, retiring in 2007 as the AFL all-time rushing yards leader.

• Clyde Lee served as head coach for several sports at Overton High School before moving on to a successful career at the University of Houston.

• Earle Bradford Mayfield was a lawyer and Democratic Party politician from Overton, Texas who served in both the Texas State Senate and United States Senate.

• The Baptist General Convention of Texas was first organized in Overton as the East Texas Baptist Convention in 1847 before being incorporated into other regional alliances.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 

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