A Brief History of Noonday, Texas
Nestled in Smith County, just southwest of Tyler, Noonday traces its origins to 1876, when the Noonday Baptist Church was founded. The community took its name from Noonday, Georgia — the hometown of one of its founders. Surrounded by fertile farmland and rich in natural resources, Noonday grew at the intersection of historic Indian trails and became a close-knit agricultural hub.
The town sits within Block No. 26 of the Don Tomas Quevedo Seven League Land Grant — a tract of nearly 51,000 acres. Noonday’s fertile soil and location along the headwaters of Brooks Saline Creek made it ideal for farming. Though small in population, the community developed a strong identity centered around its land and traditions. In 1981, Noonday was officially incorporated as a Type A General Law Municipality, gaining the ability to self-govern and preserve its rural character while supporting essential services like the Volunteer Fire Department and Community Center.
Noonday is best known for its signature crop: the sweet onion. While onions have been grown in Texas since the late 1800s, the introduction of the Texas Grano 502 in 1944 was a landmark achievement in agricultural science. Developed through collaborative breeding efforts between the USDA and Texas A&M, the Grano 502 became the foundation of many globally recognized sweet onions — including the famous Vidalia. Thanks to its unique soil and climate, Noonday remains one of the few places where these ultra-sweet, low-acid onions can flourish.
From its early days as a farming settlement to its role in shaping the world’s sweetest onions, Noonday continues to embody East Texas pride, resilience, and community spirit.
See History Timeline
Trace the moments that shaped Noonday
from farmland to community.
1858
Early Settlers Arrive in the Area
The area that would become Noonday saw its first permanent settlers in the mid-19th century. Drawn by the fertile farmland and nearby water sources, early families began establishing homesteads, laying the groundwork for a strong agricultural community that thrives to this day.
1876
Founding of the Noonday Baptist Church
In 1876, the Noonday Baptist Church was established, marking the formal beginning of the community now known as Noonday. Named after a Georgia town by one of its founders, the church became the center of local life — spiritually, socially, and geographically.
1933–1944
Birth of the Texas Grano Onion
Noonday’s reputation for sweet onions is rooted in a revolutionary onion breeding program that began in 1933. The development and release of the Texas Early Grano 502 in 1944 marked a turning point — producing sweeter, higher-yield onions that would eventually shape onion varieties grown across the world, including the famous Vidalia.
1981
Incorporation of the City of Noonday
More than a century after its founding, Noonday officially became a Type A General Law Municipality in 1981. Incorporation allowed the city to establish its own governance, develop zoning, and provide services to its growing population — all while preserving its rural charm.
The City of Noonday is a proud East Texas community rooted in tradition, neighborly spirit, and homegrown charm. We’re committed to providing a welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.