Huntsville is one of the oldest and most revered cities in the Lone Star State. Founded in the mid-1830s as Texans won their independence from Mexico, Huntsville became the home of Sam Houston—the first president of the Republic of Texas and later governor of the state. Nestled among the lakes and trees of the eastern piney woods, Huntsville emerged as a vital center of education and justice in the late 19th century. Today the city remains a vibrant, growing community known for a few of its largest employers, including Sam Houston State University and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.