Tyler, city, seat of Smith County, northeastern Texas. It is a commercial and industrial center of the East Texas oil field and is also known for its nursery industry, especially for its rosebush production. Manufactures include processed food, textiles, clothing, chemicals, petroleum products, and rubber and plastic goods. Texas College (1894), the University of Texas at Tyler (1971), and a junior college are here. A municipal rose garden is an attraction. The area was settled by the Spanish in 1838, and the community was laid out in 1846. Modern development began with the discovery of oil in 1930. The city is named for President John Tyler. Population 70,508 (1980); 75,450 (1990); 83,650 (2000).
