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Physical Features: South central county north of Houston of rolling hills; more than 70% forested; national forest; Trinity River, forks of San Jacinto River; Lake Livingston, Lake Conroe.

Economy: State employment in prison system, education.

History: Coahuiltecans, Bidais in area when Spanish explored around 1690. Later, area became trading ground for many Indian tribes. Anglo-Americans settled in the 1830s. Antebellum slaveholding area. County created in 1846 from Montgomery County and organized the same year; first named for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury R.J. Walker; renamed 1863 for Texas Ranger Capt. S.H. Walker.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 56.4; Black, 23.4; Hispanic, 18.1; Asian, 1.2; Other, 0.9; Two or more races, 1.5.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 667; deaths, 513; marriages, 435; divorces, 203.

Recreation: Fishing, hunting, lake activities; Sam Houston museum, homes, grave; prison museum; other historic sites, Huntsville State Park, Sam Houston National Forest; Sam Houston folk festival in spring.

Minerals: Clays, natural gas, oil, sand and gravel, stone.

Agriculture: Cattle, nursery plants, poultry, cotton, hay. Market value $33.8 million. Timber sales substantial; Christmas trees.

HUNTSVILLE (41,453) county seat; state prison system, Sam Houston State University, forest products, varied manufacturing; hospital; museums, arts center.

Other towns include: Dodge (150), New Waverly (1,091), Riverside (559).

Morning fog at Huntsville State Park. Photo by Ron Billings/Texas A&M Forest Service.