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Physical Features: Hilly East Texas county; densely timbered; drains to Neches River; B.A. Steinhagen Lake; Big Thicket is unique plant and animal area.

Economy: Lumbering, government/services, some manufacturing, tourism, hunting leases.

History: Caddoan area. Cherokees, Alabama, and Coushatta pushed into area from U.S. South in the 1820s. Anglo-Americans settled in the 1830s. Named for U.S. President John Tyler; county created in 1846 from Liberty County, organized the same year.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 78.5; Black, 11.4; Hispanic, 8.1; Asian, 0.6; Other, 0.8; Two or more races, 1.5.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 213; deaths, 274; marriages, 138; divorces, 80.

Recreation: Big Thicket National Preserve; Heritage Village; lake activities; Allan Shivers Museum; Martin Dies Jr. State Park, John H. Kirby State Forest with Hyatt Lookout, State Wildlife Scientific Area; historic sites; dogwood festival in spring; rodeo, frontier frolics in September; gospel music fest in June.

Minerals: Oil, natural gas.

Agriculture: Cattle, hay, nursery crops, blueberries, horses. Market value $14.9 million. Timber sales significant.

WOODVILLE (2,746) county seat; lumber, cattle market, varied manufacturing, tourism; hospital, prison.

Other towns include: Chester (324) Colmesneil (611), Doucette (160), Fred (300), Hillister (250), Ivanhoe (2,009), Spurger (590), Warren (867).

Martin Dies Jr. State Park. Photo by Gary S. HIckinbotham.