Deaf Smith County is located on the Texas - New Mexico Border and has a very interesting history. The county was named after Erastus "Deaf" Smith, a Texas scout, guide, Indian Fighter and participant in the battle of San Antonio and the Battle of San Jacinto. He was born in New York on April 19, 1787. Smith was "hard of hearing" at an early age which caused him "to remain silent and fond of solitude", this in turn, led him to become observant and get to know the land around him well. This enabled him to pass valuable info for the Texas Revolution. His monument says, "Deaf Smith, The Texas Spy".

The county was created from Bexar Territory on Aug. 21, 1876 but was not created until 1890. It was attached to Oldham County for law and court business with Tascosa as the county seat. Some of the early city officials were: Mayors, L.Gough, S.B. Edwards, J.H. Head. Aldermen: L.A. Stroud, R.N. Mounts, Judge J.R. Dean, Atty. F.C. Highsmith, County and Dist. Clerk C.W. Witherspoon and Sheriff, J.M. Cook.

Beef Capital of the World

Deaf Smith County is also known as the Beef Capital of the World because of the large number of cattle fed in the area. Hereford, TX is named for the Hereford breed. Source:wikipedia.org/

Deaf Smith County history

 (offsite link on the Handbook of Texas website)

The Land and Its People, 1876-1981: Deaf Smith County, Texas

(offsite link to The Portal to Texas History)
County history book provided by the Deaf Smith County Library

History of Deaf Smith County, Texas on the Genealogy Trails website

History of the Deaf Smith County Courthouse

(offsite link to a 2 minute YouTube video from KAMR Local 4 News)

Biography of "Deaf" Smith

Off-site link to Lone Star Junction

Deaf Smith Biography and other information

Off-site link to Wikipedia

Deaf Smith Biography

Off-site link to Free Republic

Erastus "Deaf" Smith Biography

Off-site link to Sons of the South

Anthony Quinn portrayed Deaf Smith in Los Amigos, also known as Deaf Smith and Johnny Ears

Off-site link to Internet Movie Database

Deaf Smith and Johnny Ears - (87 minute video)

Off-site link to the movie on Daily Motion

Where is Erastus "Deaf" Smith buried?

Off-site link to Deaf Network of Texas

The story of Deaf Smith, by Dr. Michael Bienenstock (in American Sign Language, with subtitles)

Off-site link to a YouTube video

Erastus "Deaf" Smith - Little History, a PowerPoint presentation by Grant Laird Jr.

Off-site link to a YouTube video

The ASL Biography of Erastus "Deaf" Smith, by Mindy Moore, in American Sign Language (no subtitles)

Off-site link to a YouTube video

History of Deaf Smith, by Toby Welch, in American Sign Language (no subtitles)

Off-site link to a YouTube video

Deaf Heroes: Erastus "Deaf" Smith, in American Sign Language (no subtitles) Signed by Joseph Davis

Off-site link to a YouTube video