Located among the rolling hills and piney woods of rural northeast Texas, Marshall is centrally located within Harrison County. In fact, it is the largest city within the county and serves as the county seat.

Marshall was settled in 1839, was incorporated in 1840, and became the county seat in 1842. The City of Marshall was named in honor of Chief Justice John Marshall.

Although it was a frontier community, Marshall soon established itself as a leader within the State of Texas. For when Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, it was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the state.

After the fall of Vicksburg during the civil war, Marshall became the seat of civil authority west of the Mississippi River, and as a fortified city, housed the wartime capitol of Missouri and the headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi Postal Department. The city further contributed two wartime governors, Edward Clark and Pendelton Murrah.

By 1940, Marshall had a population of 18,410 which further grew to 22,225 by 1950. This was due primarily to a considerable industrial payroll from the Texas and Pacific Railroad shops, the Marshall Car Wheel and Foundry, and several cotton and flour mills. Many of the older homes were built during this boom period and remain as evidence of Marshall's rich history.

Marshall also has many historic cemeteries. Two of the best known and visited are Old Marshall Cemetery, which includes many burial sites from the confederate period, and Greenwood Cemetery which contains the burial sites of many famous people and families from Marshall's past.

Marshall experienced an economic downturn resulting from the Texas oil industry bust during the 1980s, as did most Texas cities which were tied to oil. This resulted in the loss of industry and citizens.

The 1990s census showed a populaton count of 23,682 (a reduction of about five percent). Since the oil bust, Marshall's economy has found a new diversity based on industry, agriculture, mineral extraction, forestry, and its newest industry: tourism.