Swisher County was formed from Young and Bexar Territories, created on August 21, 1876, and organized on July 17, 1890. It was named in honor of James Gibson Swisher, who lived from 1794 to 1864, was conspicuous for gallantry at the storming of Bexar in 1835, and was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. The county seat is Tulia.