At the time of its organization, Simpson County was one of the most attractive counties of the great Southwest and that is why for the first twenty years after being opened for settlement, it grew so rapidly in population. Doubtless the early settlers from Scotland, New England, Virginia and the Carolinas sent back to their relatives glowing accounts of this new country.

The attractions of this new county were many and varied. First of all, of course, was the fact that homesteads could be had for the asking, and the lands on the creeks and rivers were very fertile. Another attraction was the abundance of running water, beautiful, clear running streams, and wonderful springs bubbling up in the hills. Especially notable were the great springs at Rails that form a creek at the very beginning.

The greatest of attractions, however, were the great pine forests that covered the county from the north to the south and from east to west. For miles and miles one could ride through the untold thousands of trees, standing in their solemnity, magnificent in their grandeur as they had stood for ages. It seemed a sacrilege for them to be destroyed. We shall never see their like again.

The county has a total area of 590.53 square miles, of which 588.73 square miles is land and 1.80 square mile is water. The population recorded in the 1830 Federal Census was 2,680. Today, there are about 27,500 residents in the county.

Simpson County is a beautiful, peaceful place with happy people and quaint towns that reflect true southern hospitality and grace.  It’s a wonderful place to live, visit, do business – or just have fun and relax.  Please join us – our doors and hearts are open!