Smyrna, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Smyrna, Texas
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Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Cass |
Elevation | 312 ft (95 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code(s) | 903 & 430 |
GNIS feature ID | 1347312 |
Smyrna is a small community in Cass County, Texas, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In the year 2000, about 215 people lived there.
Contents
The Story of Smyrna: How It Began
Smyrna started as a settlement in the 1880s. It got its name from a city in Turkey, also called Smyrna. This Turkish city was known for an early Christian church that faced tough times.
Early Churches and Community Life
The Smyrna Baptist Church of Christ was founded on August 9, 1882. Nelson Porterfield was its first pastor. The church building was finished three years later.
In 1907, the community received land for another church and a cemetery. Reverend J.M. Copeland started a Church of Christ in Smyrna in 1896. Its building was completed in 1913. By the 1930s, these churches became very important to the community.
Two more Baptist churches were built later, one in 1941 and another in 1977. Both received special Texas historical markers in 1982. The churches also served as places for community gatherings and events.
Where is Smyrna Located?
Smyrna is found in the eastern part of Cass County, Texas. It is located along Texas State Highway 77. This community is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta.
Learning in Smyrna: Education
In the early days, local church groups held services at a schoolhouse. Later, a church building was constructed. By the 1930s, Smyrna became its own school district. Today, students in Smyrna attend schools in the Atlanta Independent School District.