Smithville is a city in Clay and Platte counties in the U.S. state of Missouri, along the Little Platte River. The population was 8,425 at the 2010 United States Census.GeographySmithville is located at, primarily in Clay County.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.67sqmi, of which, 15.56sqmi is land and 0.11sqmi is water.HistorySmithville is named after Humphrey "Yankee" Smith (1774 – May 5, 1857) after he settled at the site in 1822. The town was originally known as "Smith's Mill" but ultimately became "Smithville" as it was easier to pronounce. Another reputed history behind the name is that it was going to be named Smith's Mill, but there was already another current settlement in Missouri with the same name so it was altered slightly to differentiate it.Silver Screen stars Wallace Beery and Noah Beery, Sr. were born and raised near Smithville.The Aker Cemetery and Downtown Smithville Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Famous People David Shannon Peterson. All state basketball, baseball from 1991-1994. School record for points (1,182) rebounds (588) and wins (68). Went on to play collegiately at Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kansas. Casi Joy, singer on The VoiceFrank Granatino, CPA. Entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist.
