Humphrey and Nancy Smith travelled west from New York with their six sons and daughter in 1822 to find land and build a home. They settled along the Little Platte River and established Smith’s Mill, which was the first water-powered flour mill in Clay County. A town site was laid out and Smith’s Mill became Smithville by 1830 and in 1868 Smithville was incorporated. In 1979, the Army Corp of Engineers began the development of what is now the 7,200 acre Smithville Lake. Smithville offers its residents and visitors alike a wide array of amenities including: a seasonal farmers market on Wednesday from June through October, playgrounds, shelters and picnic tables; soccer, football and baseball fields, a driving range, campgrounds, fishing, a large nature area with trails and skate park; tennis, basketball and pickleball courts. For over 24 years, the Missouri Department of Conservation, US Army Corp of Engineers and the Clay County Department of Parks and Recreation has hosted Eagles Days at Smithville Lake every December. It includes outdoor viewing opportunities of bald eagles and a wide variety of waterfowl that migrate through this area every year, as well as indoor nature programs. Smithville is located about 30 minutes north of downtown Kansas City.