Living in Overton, TX

Overton is a small town in northwestern Rusk County, with a sliver reaching into Smith County. It sits about 10 miles southwest of Kilgore and about 22 miles southeast of Tyler, and it played a key part in the 1930 discovery of the East Texas oil field.

Getting around

State Highway 135 runs through Overton, connecting to Kilgore to the northeast and Arp and Troup to the southwest. Henderson, the Rusk County seat, is about 16 miles southeast, and Tyler and Longview are both within easy driving distance.

Things to do

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, which has studied East Texas forages, horticulture and cattle since 1967
The East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore, about 10 miles away, whose Boomtown exhibit includes a recreated Overton Drugstore
Tyler and Kilgore, nearby for shopping, dining and college events

Schools

Overton ISD serves most of the city. The Smith County portion is in Arp ISD, and a small part of the city falls in West Rusk ISD. With three districts touching town, I always confirm the school assignment for a specific address.

Homes, land and acreage

Around Overton you'll find older homes in town, homes on larger lots, and rural acreage, pasture and wooded land in Rusk and Smith counties. Buying land is different from buying a house in town, so I'll help you check the details that matter:

Water: wells or a water supply corporation
Septic systems and soil
Surveys, easements and road access
Ag or wildlife tax exemptions
Deed restrictions, minerals and floodplain

Because Overton sits in the heart of the East Texas oil field, mineral rights, existing wells and pipeline easements deserve extra attention.

A little history

Overton was laid out in 1873 and named for Frank Overton, who donated land for the townsite. In 1930 residents helped fund C. M. "Dad" Joiner's discovery well, and the town grew from about 400 people to roughly 4,500 during the oil boom.