The History of Livingston, Texas
Livingston has been the heart of Polk County for nearly two centuries — first as a frontier settlement, then as a timber and oil town, and today as a lake-tourism hub on one of the largest reservoirs in Texas. Its story also runs alongside that of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, whose long presence in this corner of the Big Thicket predates the town itself.
Here's how Livingston grew into the seat of Polk County.
From Springfield to County Seat
Moses L. Choate acquired the land in 1835 and surveyed a townsite called Springfield in 1839. When Polk County was established in 1846, Choate contributed more than one hundred acres on the condition that the site become the county seat. The post office, secured in 1847, was named Livingston after Choate's hometown of Livingston, Tennessee.
As the county seat, Livingston became the governmental and commercial center of Polk County, a role it has held ever since. The Polk County Courthouse has long anchored its historic downtown, the focal point of civic life in this part of deep East Texas.
Timber, Decline, and Oil
Like much of East Texas, Livingston's early economy rose and fell with the Piney Woods timber industry. As the sawmills boomed, so did the town — but as the local timber gave out and the mills began moving away, the population slid to just 928 by 1925.
New life came from underground. The discovery of oil at the Livingston field, about ten miles south, in 1932 sparked fresh growth and helped carry the town through the lean years. Timber and oil together shaped Livingston's first century, leaving it a sturdy county-seat town ready for the changes the modern era would bring.
The Lake and the Tribe
The biggest modern change was water. The damming of the Trinity River created Lake Livingston, a 90,000-acre reservoir that turned the area into a major recreation and retirement destination and reoriented the local economy around lake tourism. Today Livingston is the largest city in Polk County, with a population of 5,640 at the 2020 census.
Livingston's history is also intertwined with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, whose reservation lies in the Big Thicket about 15 miles east of town. The tribe has called this region home far longer than the town has existed, and today its Naskila Casino is one of the area's biggest attractions — a modern chapter in a very old story.
Timeline
1835
Moses L. Choate acquires the land.
1839
Choate surveys a townsite called Springfield.
1846
Polk County is established, with the county seat on land Choate contributed on that condition.
1847
The post office is secured and named Livingston, after Choate's hometown in Tennessee.
1902
Fire damages much of the town; Livingston is incorporated on October 2.
1925
Population falls to about 928 as the local timber gives out and sawmills move away.
1932
Oil is discovered at the Livingston field about ten miles south, sparking new growth.
late 1960s
The Trinity River is dammed to create the 90,000-acre Lake Livingston, reorienting the area toward lake tourism.
2020
Census population reaches 5,640, making Livingston the largest city in Polk County.
FAQ: History of Livingston
Moses L. Choate surveyed the townsite as Springfield in 1839 and contributed more than 100 acres on the condition that it become the seat of Polk County, which was established in 1846. The post office, secured in 1847, was named Livingston after Choate's hometown of Livingston, Tennessee.
Yes. Livingston has been the seat of Polk County since 1846 and is the county's largest city, with a population of 5,640 at the 2020 census. The Polk County Courthouse anchors its historic downtown.
Livingston's economy was built first on Piney Woods timber, then revived by the 1932 discovery of oil at the nearby Livingston field, and finally transformed by the creation of Lake Livingston, which made the area a lake-tourism and retirement destination.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has its reservation in the Big Thicket about 15 miles east of Livingston and has called the region home far longer than the town has existed. Today the tribe operates Naskila Casino, one of the area's biggest attractions.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Livingston in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
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