Little Platte River

Welcome to Smithville, MO: a town fiercely proud of its historic heritage and small-town feel, yet growing with the times and booming population. Smithville was founded in 1822 by Humphrey Smith, his wife Nancy, and their seven children. They settled along the Little Platte River and built the first water-powered flour mill in Clay county which drew a population that formed into Smithville proper in the 1830’s. In 1979, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began the creation of Smithville Lake. The lake boasts 7200 acres of coverage and 172 miles of shoreline, perfect for boating, fishing, and numerous other recreations while also providing the main water source to the city of Smithville. Since 1980s, Smithville’s population has quadrupled in size, but has never lost its small town heritage and feel. Our historic downtown is off the main highway, and while the Main Street District has maintained many of its historic buildings and facades, it has grown in size and business diversity as