Smyrna, California facts for kids

Smyrna was once a small community located in Kern County, California. It was about 8 miles (13 km) west of another place called Pond. Smyrna is known for its interesting connection to fig trees and a city far away.

What Was Smyrna?

Smyrna was a "settlement," which means it was a place where people lived and worked, but it never grew into a large town or city. Over time, people moved away, and it is no longer an active community today.

Where Was It Located?

This former settlement was found in the central part of California, within Kern County. Kern County is a large area known for its farming and oil production. Smyrna's exact spot was west of a small community named Pond.

Why the Name "Smyrna"?

The name "Smyrna" comes from a very old city in Turkey, which is now called Izmir. The reason this California settlement was named after a city in Turkey is quite interesting! Fig trees were brought to this area in California from Smyrna, Turkey. These special fig trees were important for growing tasty figs, and so the settlement was named to honor their origin.

A Short-Lived Post Office

For a brief time, Smyrna even had its own post office. It opened in 1888 but closed just one year later in 1889. This shows that while people lived there, the community was quite small and did not last very long.