Smithfield, Texas facts for kids

Smithfield was once a small town in north-central Tarrant County, Texas. It was located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Grapevine. Smithfield was first called Zion, named after a Methodist Church in the area.

What Was Smithfield?

Smithfield started to grow around 1876. At that time, it already had a Masonic lodge, which is a type of community group, and several businesses. This shows that it was becoming an active place for people to live and work.

How Did Smithfield Get Its Name?

The town's name changed from Zion to Smithfield because of a man named Eli Smith. He moved to the area in 1859 from Missouri. Eli Smith was important because he donated land for a church and a cemetery. To honor his generous gift, the town was renamed Smithfield after him.

What Happened to Smithfield?

Smithfield faced some tough times. Big fires in 1890 and again in 1929 destroyed many of the town's shops and businesses. Even with these challenges, the number of people living in Smithfield stayed about the same through the 1930s.

However, the town of Smithfield no longer exists as a separate place. In 1958, it became part of a larger city called North Richland Hills. Even though Smithfield isn't a town anymore, its name lives on. You can still find Smithfield Middle School, Smithfield Elementary School, and the Smithfield Cemetery in the area today.